Violent Disorder
Adam Law Solicitors offer expert legal advice for anyone facing, or worried about facing, prosecution for Violent Disorder. We have a dedicated criminal defence team who have many years experience of all charges of criminal activity.
If you are concerned you may be facing charges for Violent Disorder, or are already facing charges, it is essential you contact us as quickly as possible. Phone us now on 0114 256 0111, or email us or use the form on this page.
An offence under section 2 Public Order Act 1986 is triable either way. It is difficult to see circumstances in which it would be appropriate to represent that charges brought under section 2 would be suitable for summary disposition. The maximum penalty on conviction on indictment is five years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of unlimited amount. On summary conviction the maximum penalty is six months’ imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding level 5.
Under section 2 of the Act, it must be proved that:
- three or more persons;
- present together;
- used or threatened;
- unlawful violence;
- so that the conduct of them (taken together) would cause;
- a person of reasonable firmness;
- present at the scene;
- to fear for his or her personal safety.
The offence may be committed in a public or private place. The relevant conduct may be directed against a person or persons or against property.
Examples of the type of conduct which may be appropriate for a section 2 offence include:
- fighting between three or more people involving the use of weapons, between rival groups in a place to which members of the public have access (for example a town centre or a crowded bar) causing severe disruption and/or fear to members of the public;
- an outbreak of violence which carries with it the potential for significant impact on a moderate scale on non-participants;
- serious disorder at a public event where missiles are thrown and other violence is used against and directed towards the police and other civil authorities.
If you are concerned you may be facing charges for Violent Disorder, or are already facing charges, it is essential you contact us as quickly as possible. Phone us now on 0114 256 0111, or email us or use the form on this page.
This article is based on public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v2.0. The original information can be found here; https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/public-order-offences-incorporating-charging-standard