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Conditional caution
- General
A formal disposal under section 22 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 in which a suspect is cautioned subject to conditions which have one or more of the objects in s.22(3): facilitating the rehabilitation of the offender, ensuring that the offender makes reparation for the offence, or punishing the offender. The conditions may include attendance at an anger management programme, payment of compensation, or completion of unpaid work. Failure to comply with the conditions without reasonable excuse results in prosecution for the original offence.
Updated 16 October 2026: the objects of conditions are those in Criminal Justice Act 2003 s.22(3)(a) to (c); the punishment object was added by the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, s.134, from 8 April 2013.
In practice
A conditional caution requires an admission of guilt by the suspect, sufficient evidence to charge, and a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (or, in some cases, a senior officer with delegated authority) that the disposal is appropriate. The conditions must be proportionate and achievable within a specified time. A conditional caution appears on the PNC and is disclosable in enhanced DBS checks.
Last updated 16 October 2026. Reviewed 16 October 2026