NCJ Number
138551
Date Published
1992
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The British Home Office examined the criminal histories of a sample of 6,000 people cautioned by police in late 1985 and early 1988 using data obtained from the Offenders' Index. Cautioning is used as a device to keep first offenders, particularly juveniles, out of the criminal justice system.
Abstract
The results showed that 87 percent of those cautioned were not convicted of a standard list offense within two years of their 1985 caution. About 80 percent of those cautioned had no previous criminal history, while one in eight had been cautioned previously and one in ten had a previous conviction. Those previously convicted were four times more likely to be convicted again than those in the sample without a past record. Men who received cautions were significantly more likely to have a previously criminal history than women who were cautioned. The 2-year conviction rate for those cautioned in 1985 was only 6 percent for those aged over 20, but as high as 19 percent for those between 17 and 20. Young adult offenders who had committed theft were slightly less likely to be reconvicted if cautioned than if convicted in court. 7 tables