Out-of-court disposals for adults
A guide to alternatives to prosecution
This guide helps practitioners understand the wide range of out-of-court disposals available to deal with low-level and mostly first-time adult offenders outside of the court system. A comprehensive booklet, a quick reference leaflet, a poster which is ideal for custody suites and charging rooms have been produced and will be distributed to the police, CPS and defence lawyers.
Title: Out-of-court disposals for adults
Author: Office for Criminal Justice Reform
Number of pages: 22
Date published: July 2007
Availability: Download full guide 
PDF 267Kb
The Guide is intended for quick reference to assist practitioners in choosing the most effective response to tackle lower-level offending. It clearly sets out the consequences of the different disposals for the offender including Penalty Notices for Disorder, Simple Cautions and Conditional Cautions.
The Guide only covers adult disposals; separate guidance is being developed on dealing with young offenders. It is not a legal document and creates no additional bureaucracy. Each disposal will continue to have its own guidance.
An advisory group, comprising representatives of the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the senior judiciary, the Magistrates' Association as well as Criminal Justice System policy officials, worked together to develop the guide which has been tested and refined by police officers and the CPS.
Getting a copy
Download Out-of-court disposals for adults PDF 267Kb
Last update: Friday, August 03, 2007