Conditional caution

A caution with conditions attached, such as paying compensation or attending a course. If you break the conditions you can be prosecuted.

A conditional caution is a caution that comes with conditions you must meet, under sections 22 to 27 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. Conditions can be rehabilitative (for example a drug, alcohol or behaviour course), reparative (such as an apology, repairing damage or paying compensation) or punitive (such as a financial penalty or a limited amount of unpaid work). You must admit the offence and agree to accept it, and there must be enough evidence to charge. If you fail to comply without a reasonable excuse, you can be prosecuted for the original offence. It is not a conviction, but it forms part of your criminal record. It becomes spent after three months, or earlier if it stops having effect, and while unspent it shows on every level of DBS check, including a basic check. Youth conditional cautions are available for children aged 10 to 17.

Checked as at 25 September 2026. General information only, not legal advice.