Police Cautions - Is it too late to seek redress?
- Details
- Published: Friday, 21 June 2013 16:58
- Written by Bill Wilson
Police Cautions - Is it too late to seek redress?
Police Cautions have been used for decades as an alternative to Court Proceedings. Principally they are used for first time offending considered to be low-level however can in exceptional circumstances be utilised in more serious offences.
Whether an offence or indeed an offender is deemed suitable for a caution is very much an operational decision of the Police and in some instances the Crown Prosecution Service. The offender must fully admit the offence. It cannot be provided if a defence is raised or if the offender refuses to accept a caution.
Crucially although avoiding the Court Process, Cautions still form part of the offender’s criminal record. They can be used in any future proceedings and may be made available to current and future employers as part of a criminal record check. Although deemed immediately spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 some occupations are exempted, which means that they are extremely relevant and can be very damaging.