Skip over main navigation
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Prisoners' Families Helpline

Helpline opening hours:
Monday - Friday 9am - 8pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am - 3pm

  • Phone
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Arrest
    • After arrest
    • Being charged
    • Bail
    • Caution
    • Rights in custody
  • Going to court
    • Types of Courts
      • Magistrates Court
      • Crown Court
      • Youth Court
    • On the day
      • Facilities at court
      • What time to attend
    • Remand in custody
  • Community sentences
    • What are community sentences
    • What is a breach?
    • Offender managers
  • Prison Sentences
    • First days in prison
      • Where will they be taken
      • Locating a prisoner
      • Visiting prison
      • Help with the cost of prison visits
      • Staying in touch
      • Worried about self harm/ suicide
    • Keeping safe in prison
    • Care and support in prison
      • Healthcare in prison
      • Family support
      • Prisoner debt and money
    • Sentencing
      • Sentence length
      • Indeterminate, extended and life sentences
    • Prison life
      • What to expect
      • Property and money
      • Prisoner Categories
      • Transfers
    • Release On Temporary Licence (ROTL)
    • How to make a complaint
  • Release
    • Release date
    • Release on licence
    • Home Detention Curfew (HDC)
    • Parole
    • Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
    • Recall to prison
  • Support for families
    • Helpline
    • Useful links
  • FAQs
    • Locating a prisoner
    • Keeping in touch with a prisoner
    • Sending in clothing
    • Making a complaint
    • Probation issues
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Caution
  1. Arrest
  2. Caution

Caution

What is a caution? 

A caution is used to deal with those who have committed less serious offences and admit their guilt.  Cautions allow the police to deal with persons quickly and simply by removing the need for the case to be heard in court. The person will be warned that any further offences will be taken to court. 

When is a simple caution used? 

Cautions are given to those over 10 years old where  

  • There is evidence that the person is guilty 
  • The person admits to committing the crime 
  • The person agrees to being cautioned – if they do not agree then they are likely to be charged 

What are conditional cautions? 

Conditional cautions impose rules and restrictions which must not be broken. Those cautioned must agree to change their behaviour by for example getting treatment for drug addiction or agreeing to fix damage caused. A caution is not a criminal conviction, but it could be used as evidence of bad character if you go to court for another crime. 

Does a caution go on someone’s criminal record? 

A caution is not a criminal conviction so will not go on a person’s criminal record. It will, however, be recorded on the police database and may be considered in court if the person is tried for another offence. Cautions can show on standard and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. 


Download and print our fact sheet:

Caution PDF

Published: 16th October, 2020

Updated: 15th February, 2021

Author:

Related topics:
  • Arrest
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • What do you think of our new website?

  • HMP Altcourse

  • HMP Ashfield

  • HMP Askham Grange

Related

  • Bail

    Bail

  • Rights in custody

    Rights in custody

  • Being charged

    Being charged

  • After arrest

    After arrest

    Discover what happens after arrest

Most read

  • Release date

    Release date

  • Rights in custody

    Rights in custody

  • Privacy Policy

  • HMP Foston Hall

  • Parole

    Parole

  • Example - How we're funded

    State your case for the support you need, while showing supporters can trust you (be transparent)

  • Example - Mission, vision, values

    What you're all about -- but write to inform and inspire site visitors, not for yourselves

  • What do you think of our new website?

  • Remand in custody

    Remand in custody

  • Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

    Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

Latest tweet

For more info:

  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland

Follow us

  • Twitter

Useful links

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy policy
  • Website survey

Helpline

Phone number: 0808 808 2003



© Prisoners' Families Helpline 2020.
All rights reserved.

The National Prisoners’ Families Helpline is operated by Prison Advice and Care Trust under contract to Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service.

The NICCO website provides information for professionals who come into contact with the children and families of offenders.