Offences against justice and the police.
Obstructing and assaulting officers, perverting the course of justice, witness intimidation, wasting police time, bail, breaches of court orders, and attempts, conspiracy and encouraging crime.
20 offences · points to prove, mode of trial and maximum sentence
Quick reference
| Offence | Legislation | Mode of trial | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisting an offender | Criminal Law Act 1967, s.4 | Either way if the original offence is either way; otherwise indictable only | 10, 7, 5 or 3 years' imprisonment (on indictment), depending on the original offence |
| Attempting to commit an offence | Criminal Attempts Act 1981, s.1 | As for the offence attempted | The same as for the full offence (s.4(1)); life imprisonment for attempted murder or an attempt at any other offence with a sentence fixed by law |
| Bomb hoaxes | Criminal Law Act 1977, s.51 | Either way | 7 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily) |
| Breach of a criminal behaviour order | Sentencing Act 2020, s.339 | Either way | 5 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary) |
| Breach of a domestic abuse protection order | Domestic Abuse Act 2021, s.39 | Either way | 5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily) |
| Breach of a restraining order | Sentencing Act 2020, s.363 | Either way | 5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily) |
| Collecting or possessing information useful for terrorism | Terrorism Act 2000, s.58 | Either way | 15 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily) |
| Concealing an offence | Criminal Law Act 1967, s.5(1) | Either way if the offence concealed is either way; otherwise indictable only | 2 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily, only where the offence concealed is either way) |
| Conspiracy | Criminal Law Act 1977, s.1 | Indictable only | The same maximum term as the offence agreed on (on indictment, s.3(3)); life imprisonment if that offence is murder, carries life or has no set maximum term (s.3(2)); a fine only if the offence is not imprisonable |
| Failing to disclose information about terrorism | Terrorism Act 2000, s.38B | Either way | 10 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily) |
| Failing to surrender to custody (bail) | Bail Act 1976, s.6 | Summary only (or dealt with as a criminal contempt of court) | 3 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine if committed to the Crown Court for sentence or dealt with as a contempt |
| Hoaxes involving noxious substances or things | Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, s.114 | Either way | 7 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily) |
| Impersonating a police officer | Police Act 1996, s.90 | Summary only | 6 months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine (level 5) |
| Intentionally encouraging or assisting an offence | Serious Crime Act 2007, s.44 | As for the offence encouraged or assisted | The same as for the offence encouraged or assisted (s.58(3)); life imprisonment if that offence is murder |
| Intimidating a witness or juror | Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, s.51 | Either way | 5 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary) |
| Misconduct in public office | Common law | Indictable only | Life imprisonment |
| Obstructing or hindering an emergency worker | Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Act 2006, s.1 | Summary only | A fine not exceeding level 5 (unlimited) |
| Perverting the course of justice | Common law | Indictable only | Life imprisonment |
| Resisting or wilfully obstructing a constable | Police Act 1996, s.89(2) | Summary only | 1 month's imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding level 3 (£1,000) |
| Wasting police time | Criminal Law Act 1967, s.5(2) | Summary only | 6 months' imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding level 4 (£2,500) |
Tap an offence for the numbered points to prove, key definitions, defences and case law.
Other topics
- Theft, fraud and property offences
- Violence and offences against the person
- Public order offences
- Weapons and firearms offences
- Road traffic offences
- Drugs offences
- Sexual offences
- Harassment, stalking and communications offences
- Anti-social behaviour offences
- Animal and environmental offences
- The whole library