What does a police caution mean?

A police caution (since 2005 more properly known as a simple caution) is a formal warning given by the police to anyone aged 10 years or over who has admitted that they are guilty of a minor crime. A person may refuse to admit guilt and not accept a caution, but can then be subject to criminal prosecution.

Herein, what happens when you get a police caution?

Cautions (technically, “simple cautions”) are used by police to deal with low-level criminal offending, usually by first-time offenders. The caution is an 'out of court disposal'. Use of a caution avoids the need to charge a person and initiate a prosecution, which is the route to a conviction.

Likewise, what do the police say when they caution you? The police must explain this to you by reading you the police caution: “You do not have to say anything. But, it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”

Also to know is, how do you know if you have a police caution?

If you have been cautioned for a recordable offence then it will be recorded on the Police National Computer and will form part of your criminal record. You can find out what's been recorded about you on the PNC by applying for a copy of your police records.

Is a police caution the same as a warning?

There is no difference between a caution and a warning. A caution can be given to anyone over 10 years old for a minor offence such as graffiti. Yes this indicates that your name will appear on a computer record held by your local police force, but again this is not in any way a criminal record.

38 Related Question Answers Found

How serious is a caution?

A caution is a formal warning issued by police to someone who has admitted to having committed a criminal offence. There are, however, concerns that some crimes are not being punished appropriately, and that some serious and repeat offenders are getting off lightly under the current system.

Can I join the police with a caution?

Over the last few years, the rules regarding eligibility to become a police officer have been slightly relaxed. However, there are still strict entry requirements and some convictions/caution will result in your application being immediately rejected whilst others will be considered on a case by case basis.

Do I need to declare a caution?

Once a conviction, caution, reprimand or final warning becomes spent, you do not need to disclose it to most employers, or when applying for most courses, insurance or other purposes (e.g. applying for housing).

Should I accept a police caution?

You do not have to accept a caution!

A caution is a possible outcome of an arrest, which you may be offered instead of being charged. The police make cautions sound less serious, but they are an admission of guilt, and will still go on your record.

Can I go to America with a caution?

Any individual who has received a caution for a crime involving moral turpitude or a controlled drug offense will be ineligible to travel to the U.S on ESTA, regardless of the date of the caution.

What is a simple caution?

A simple caution is a formal notice, issued by a police officer, once someone has admitted an offence. A conditional caution is similar but the person must also agree to stick to certain conditions which may include paying compensation to the victim or issuing an apology for the offence.

What is a serious caution?

A police caution (since 2005 more properly known as a simple caution) is a formal warning given by the police to anyone aged 10 years or over who has admitted that they are guilty of a minor crime. A person may refuse to admit guilt and not accept a caution, but can then be subject to criminal prosecution.

How do you get a police caution removed?

If you are wondering “Can I get a police caution removed?” then the simple answer is yes you can. A police caution can be removed from your record so that your CRB/DBS criminal records check is cleared. If your police caution is removed you can say, when asked, that you have never received a police caution.

Will a police caution affect visa?

Accepting a caution can affect someone's ability to travel and work outside the European Union, with some countries reserving the right to refuse entry visas. However unlike being arrested, a police caution does not necessarily make travel to the United States more difficult.

Will a police caution affect my CRB check?

In May 2013, the government introduced a filtering system meaning that not all cautions and convictions are revealed by DBS checks. Filtered cautions and convictions are not wiped from police records – they simply don't show up on DBS certificates.

Can I request a copy of my police statement?

Yes, you may request a copy of your statement from the investigating Garda or the Garda Superintendent. Who can see my statement? Your statement is a confidential document and can be seen by you, by the prosecution team, by the accused person, and by the solicitors for the accused person.

Does a caution show up on a DBS check?

Protected convictions or cautions are convictions or cautions which are filtered during the DBS check process - this means that they will not appear on the DBS certificate. Following this court case, the law was changed, and now certain types of conviction or caution will not appear on your DBS check.

Can I work in care with a caution?

Because you have received a police caution in the past does not mean that you cannot work in Adult Care (ASC). There are a number of offences that bar you from working in ASC but they are the most serious offences usually involving violence.

Can a caution be removed after 5 years?

Along with showing up on DBS checks, a caution will also show up on police certificate issued by ACRO Criminal Records Office. A serious caution will be removed after 10 years, a caution for a more minor offence will be removed after 5 years.

Can family members affect becoming a police officer UK?

Criminal convictions

Police forces are therefore entitled to ask prospective applicants to reveal spent convictions during the recruitment or vetting process. This does not apply to spent convictions of applicants' families. individual basis. Eligibility will depend on the nature and circumstances of the offence.

How many police cautions can you have?

You can still receive a caution even if you have received warnings before or if you have committed an offence before. However, there is a limit of three cautions – if you have already received three cautions, you cannot receive another one and instead you may have to go to court.

Is a caution a conviction UK?

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. Cautions can show on standard and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.