England & Wales · Glossary
Criminal law glossary (England & Wales)
Plain-English meanings of 45 words and phrases you're likely to meet when dealing with the police and the criminal courts in England & Wales. Each links to the official source and to our guides.
Checked as at 25 September 2026. General information only, not legal advice.
A
Absolute and conditional dischargeA court outcome where you are found guilty but not punished, either outright (absolute) or on condition you stay out of trouble (conditional).Adverse inferenceA conclusion a court or jury may draw against you because you stayed silent or did not explain something when you had the chance.Allocation (mode of trial)The magistrates' decision on whether an either-way case is tried in the magistrates' court or sent to the Crown Court.Appropriate adultA parent, guardian, social worker or trained volunteer who must support a child or vulnerable adult held or interviewed by police.
B
C
Charge (being charged)Being charged means you are formally accused of a specific crime and the case will go to court, usually starting at a magistrates' court.Community orderA sentence served in the community instead of prison, with requirements such as unpaid work, a curfew or probation supervision, lasting up to three years.Community resolutionAn informal police outcome for minor crime, such as an apology or paying for damage. It is not a conviction or a caution.Conditional cautionA caution with conditions attached, such as paying compensation or attending a course. If you break the conditions you can be prosecuted.Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC)The independent body that investigates possible miscarriages of justice and can send a conviction or sentence back to an appeal court.Criminal legal aidPublic funding that pays for a defence solicitor, and sometimes a barrister, if you are charged with a crime and pass the legal aid tests.Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)The independent public body that decides whether most police cases in England and Wales are prosecuted, and presents them in court.Custody officer (and custody record)The police officer, usually a sergeant, responsible for your detention, rights and welfare at the police station, separate from the investigation.
D
DBS checkA criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. The level (basic, standard or enhanced) decides what it shows.Disclosure (prosecution disclosure)The prosecution's duty to share evidence with the defence, including unused material that could undermine its case or help yours.Duty solicitorA solicitor available 24 hours a day to give free, independent legal advice to anyone at a police station, whatever their income.
E
I
Indictable-only offenceThe most serious type of offence, such as murder, rape or robbery, which can only be tried in the Crown Court.Interview under cautionA recorded police interview in which you are questioned about a suspected offence after being cautioned, whether under arrest or not.
L
M
N
No comment interviewUsing your right to silence in a police interview by answering "no comment" to questions. It is lawful but can have consequences at trial.No further action (NFA)Police or the CPS have decided not to charge you or take any other action, although the case can be reopened if new evidence emerges.
P
PACE Codes of PracticeOfficial rules under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 on how police stop, search, arrest, detain, identify and interview people.Plea (and credit for a guilty plea)Your formal answer to the charge in court: guilty or not guilty. An early guilty plea usually reduces the sentence by up to one third.Plea and trial preparation hearing (PTPH)The first main hearing in the Crown Court, where you enter your plea and the judge sets a timetable and date for any trial.Police caution (the caution wording)The warning police must give before questioning a suspect: you do not have to say anything, but staying silent may harm your defence.Postal requisition (and summons)A letter from the prosecutor charging you with an offence and requiring you to attend a magistrates' court on a stated date.Pre-charge bail (police bail)Release from the police station without charge but with a date to return, sometimes with conditions such as not contacting a witness.Pre-sentence report (PSR)A report written by the Probation Service, or a youth justice worker, to help the court decide the right sentence.Prepared statementA written account from a suspect, usually drafted with a solicitor and read out in interview, often followed by no comment answers.
R
Referral orderA youth sentence requiring a child to agree and follow a contract with a youth offender panel, usually after a first guilty plea.Released under investigation (RUI)Released from the police station without charge and without bail conditions while police keep investigating. There is no set time limit.Remand (and custody time limits)Being held in custody, or released on bail, between court hearings before trial or sentence. Time on remand in custody counts towards any sentence.
S
Simple cautionA formal police warning for an admitted, usually minor offence, given instead of prosecution. It is not a conviction but goes on your record.Single Justice ProcedureA way of dealing with minor offences that cannot lead to prison: one magistrate decides the case on paper unless you ask for a hearing.Special measuresPractical help for vulnerable or intimidated witnesses to give their best evidence, such as screens, video links or pre-recorded evidence.Spent convictionA conviction or caution that, after a set rehabilitation period, you usually no longer have to tell employers, insurers or others about.Stop and search (GOWISELY)Police powers to search you or a vehicle, usually only with reasonable grounds to suspect you are carrying drugs, weapons or stolen items.Summary offenceA less serious offence that can only be tried in a magistrates' court, such as common assault or most motoring offences.Suspended sentence orderA prison sentence you do not serve straight away, provided you do not reoffend and you complete any requirements set by the court.
T
V
Victim Personal Statement (VPS)A statement a victim can make explaining how a crime has affected them, which the court takes into account at sentencing.Victim surchargeAn extra amount the court must order an offender to pay when sentencing, which funds services for victims and witnesses.
Y
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