If you are facing charges for affray in the UK, one of the main things you’re probably thinking about is what sentence you might face if you are found guilty. If that’s the case, you are not alone. Thousands of people are charged with affray in the UK every year. While it is a common offence, however, it should not be taken lightly. In this article, we look at what constitutes affray and answer some of the most common questions we get about the offence.
Affray is an offence under Section 3 of the Public Order Act 1986. It involves the use or threat of violence against another person in a public place, which causes other people to fear for their safety. The offence can be committed by an individual or by a group. Group affray is deemed to occur where two or more people are fighting or threatening to fight in a public place, and their behaviour is causing, or is likely to cause, alarm, harassment, or distress to other people who are present.
Here are a few examples of what might constitute ‘affray’ under this provision:
It’s worth noting that for an affray to be committed, the behaviour can take place in a public or private place. Note that engaging in a fight or threatening to fight with someone else, even in a public place, may not necessarily constitute affray if it does not cause any distress to others (for example, if you are so drunk that you can barely stand up, let alone fight someone or potentially harm others).
Yes. Affray is considered a serious offence in the UK. As we explain later, an offence under Section 3 of the Public Order Act 1986 carries a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment. Other potential penalties may include a fine, community service, or probation.
The sentence you receive if found guilty will depend on the severity of the behaviour, which is determined by the culpability or blameworthiness of the offender and the level of harm involved.
Affray is a criminal offence. If you are charged with affray, you will face a criminal prosecution and, if found guilty, you will be convicted and sentenced.
Note, however, that someone may sue you for the behaviour that led to the criminal affray charge, and if that is the case, that is a civil claim. For example, if you work at a restaurant and get in a fight with a customer, you may be arrested by the police for the criminal offence of affray and separately face a civil suit from your employer for breach of contract or damages from any harm caused to the property.
Affray is a triable either way offence, which means that it can be dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court. In most cases, the decision is made by a judge based on the seriousness of the offence and other factors, such as criminal history.
The sentence for affray depends on whether you are tried in the Magistrates’ Court or in the Crown Court. If you are tried in the Magistrates’ Court, you may face a sentence of up to six months in prison and/or a fine. If you are tried in the Crown Court, the sentence can be more severe, with a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment.
These custodial sentences may be combined with other potential penalties, including fines and community service.
There are several defences that a person charged with affray under the Public Order Act 1986 may be able to raise to challenge the allegations against them. Some of the general defences that might be available in an affray case include:
These are just some of the general defences that may be available in an affray case, and the specific defences that are available to an accused person will depend on the unique circumstances of their case.
If you plead guilty to affray, your sentence will likely be more lenient as you have accepted responsibility for the offence and may show remorse. The exact sentence reduction will still depend on what kind of behaviour took place, but if you plead guilty at the first available opportunity, you may receive up to a one-third reduction.
Yes, it is possible to receive a caution for affray in the UK. A caution is a formal warning issued by the police to someone who has admitted to committing a minor criminal offence. Cautions are typically given to people who are first-time offenders, or to those who have committed relatively minor offences.
To receive a caution for affray, a person must admit to the offence and agree to accept the caution. Cautions are typically offered as an alternative to prosecution and are intended to provide a quick and informal resolution to ‘one-off’ crimes.
Receiving a caution for affray is not the same as being convicted of the offence in court. However, a caution is a formal record of the offence, and it can be taken into account if the person is charged with a similar offence in the future. Cautions can also have other consequences, such as making it more difficult to travel to certain countries or obtain certain types of employment.
Police cautions for affray do not have a fixed expiration date. Cautions are considered to be part of a person’s permanent criminal record, and they can potentially be taken into account if the person is charged with a similar offence in the future.
However, a person can have their caution ‘filtered’ from their criminal record after a certain amount of time has passed. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, certain types of offences become ‘spent’ after a certain period has passed. This means that they are no longer considered relevant for most purposes, and do not need to be disclosed on most job applications or other forms of background checks.
Due to the multitude of factors that go into a caution (conditions, age, type of offence, etc.) it is best to ask a solicitor about how long your caution will last and whether it will show up on a record.
Getting the right legal advice at the right time is just as important for affray as it is for other offences. The earlier you find a reputable criminal defence solicitor to walk you through the process, the better. The team at Stuart Miller Solicitors has decades’ worth of combined experience in this field and will be able to help you navigate the choppy waters of the criminal justice system. For a free, no obligation consultation, get in touch with our team today.
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