Posts Categorized: News
Explosives
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Explosives Act 1883 makes it an offence to cause an explosion that is likely to endanger life or property, to attempt this or to keep an explosive with intent to endanger life or property. This is an extremely serious offence which is dealt with at the Crown court and carries life imprisonment…. Read more »
Arson – What is it and what are the consequences?
‘Arson’ is the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property. There are a number of different offences that fall under arson, including simple arson, arson (being reckless as to whether life is endangered) and arson with intent to endanger life. Simple Arson Simple arson is where someone causes criminal damage by fire, e.g. setting… Read more »
New Sentencing Guidelines
The Sentencing Council has announced new a sentencing guideline for intimidatory offences which will take effect on or after 1st October 2018. This means that it could affect your current case. Judge Rosa Dean, a member of the Sentencing Council has said: “Our guidelines recognise and reflect the very intimate, personal and intrusive nature of… Read more »
Participation in Organised Crime
A new offence was created under Section 45 of the Serious Crime Act 2015, meaning it’s an offence to be involved and participate in any activities of an organised crime group. It will work along side the offence of conspiracy, a charge aimed at major players in this area. The new participation offence is aimed… Read more »
What are Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs)?
What is a CBO? If you are convicted of a criminal offence, you could be given a criminal behaviour order (CBO), which was previously known as an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO). There are a few differences in the two, but each of them have a similar impact. A CBO can be applied to anyone over… Read more »
Government crackdown on possession of weapons
There has been an increase in serious knife crime and other violence in the UK over the past year. To help tackle this, the government has released an ‘Offensive Weapons Bill’, which will take a stricter approach to anyone in possession of harmful liquids and weapons. So, what will change? It will become a criminal… Read more »
What are TICs?
If someone is going to, or has pleaded guilty or are waiting to be sentenced, they can admit to any other offences and ask that they are considered at the time of sentencing. Doing so could have a positive impact, as it will show the court and the police that you are willing to wipe… Read more »
New Breathalyser Scheme to Prevent Drink Driving
The government has announced that they will be using new roadside breathalysers in order to increase the number of drink driving convictions by 6,000 each year. Currently, drivers are expected to take a breath test on the roadside, and, if positive, they will be arrested and will need to complete a further breath test back… Read more »
Getting Tough on Breach of Court Orders
The Sentencing Council has published new guidelines tightening up the way courts deal with offenders who have not complied with a wide range of orders such as suspended sentence orders, community orders, restraining orders and sexual harm prevention orders. It is the first time there have been comprehensive guidelines in this area, which will come… Read more »
Social Media – What’s Legal and What Isn’t?
Social media sites are all pervasive, and it is important that you take care with regards the content you post onto these platforms, including personal information. Online Risks Identity theft can be one of the consequences of the amount or type of personal information you share on social media, as fraudsters and hackers can grasp… Read more »