Legalize / United Kingdom / Public General Act

Prosecution of Offences Act 1985

Type Public General Act

Publication 1985-05-23

Last updated 2026-07-14

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

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Reform history JSON API

[^key-7bbd5f4e4a7ab0dbabc84152ce66521f]: Words in s. 19(3C) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 83(4) (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

[^key-e61c9926f9c2bae3ef6ed3e010f3d3da]: Words in s. 3(2)(fa) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 81(a) (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

[^key-6a336d434d5b66f8a5efd5313d540d3a]: Words in s. 3(2)(fb) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 81(b)(i) (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

[^key-5b0f33b47a68ea7e7a29e19404b40444]: Words in s. 3(2)(fb) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 81(b)(ii) (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

[^key-5f75719869e42a46365af7bb30b47ca1]: Words in s. 7A(5) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 82(a) (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

[^key-6af5d0216e7006d4c84f7ebc2984c792]: Words in s. 7A(5) inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 82(b) (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

[^key-7e3352b8dabe73f5a78ebd1c91549caa]: S. 3(2)(fg) inserted (5.7.2021 in relation to the metropolitan police district for the specified period) by Offensive Weapons Act 2019 (c. 17), ss. 32(1), 70(1); S.I. 2021/762, regs. 1(2), 2(1)

[^key-3da418be5f4bef878c2961d47fe0994d]: S. 3(2)(fh) inserted (28.4.2022 for specified purposes, 19.4.2023 for the specified purpose and for the specified period of 24 months beginning with that date) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 165(3), 166, 208(4)(u); S.I. 2023/387, regs. 1, 5(1)(c)(2) (with reg. 6)

[^key-055224e4ed9d29ad770234987f021f0e]: S. 3(2)(fi) inserted (5.4.2024) by Public Order Act 2023 (c. 15), ss. 33(1), 35(5); S.I. 2024/472, reg. 2(l)

[^key-d60688e38a15e114ff894529f47a3a75]: S. 3(2)(ad) inserted (1.5.2024) by Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (c. 41), s. 63(4), Sch. 13 para. 1(2)(a) (with s. 61)

[^key-2dd9fb277e045cfa872d5b14ee8b32f8]: S. 3(2)(bd) inserted (1.5.2024) by Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (c. 41), s. 63(4), Sch. 13 para. 1(2)(b) (with s. 61)

[^key-907e7539ec1bb6700f55e27a16818b83]: S. 3(2)(ef) inserted (1.5.2024) by Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (c. 41), s. 63(4), Sch. 13 para. 1(2)(c) (with s. 61)

[^key-9f0d52bc980e8e3e84b69b628096bdc6]: Words in s. 3(3) inserted (1.5.2024) by Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (c. 41), s. 63(4), Sch. 13 para. 1(3) (with s. 61)

[^key-062e09940603512d644e07fa68a2eaaf]: Words in s. 1(3) omitted (29.6.2026) by virtue of Victims and Courts Act 2026 (c. 19), ss. 11(2)(a), 18(2)

[^key-7c698c14358dd67bb370b6292e458328]: S. 1(8)(9) inserted (29.6.2026) by Victims and Courts Act 2026 (c. 19), ss. 11(2)(b), 18(2)

[^key-8524bfce163ae6cef006a39c41a77187]: Words in s. 5(1) omitted (29.6.2026) by virtue of Victims and Courts Act 2026 (c. 19), ss. 11(3)(a), 18(2)

[^key-b8d5c3f99481ed367d90568f1ffe30f0]: S. 5(3)(4) inserted (29.6.2026) by Victims and Courts Act 2026 (c. 19), ss. 11(3)(b), 18(2)

[^key-bd5c8efe9ca14155445c82c9b37ecd1c]: Words in s. 17(1) substituted (29.6.2026) by Victims and Courts Act 2026 (c. 19), ss. 12(2)(a)(i), 18(2)

[^key-1cc4beaaacd1fb04aa9b7010094e8151]: Words in s. 17(1) substituted (29.6.2026) by Victims and Courts Act 2026 (c. 19), ss. 12(2)(a)(ii), 18(2)

[^key-8be7c83c65678c7b72462be68a032312]: S. 17(2ZA) inserted (29.6.2026) by Victims and Courts Act 2026 (c. 19), ss. 12(2)(b), 18(2)

[^key-5240eb98652008cd711f1ef8fdbc6353]: Words in s. 17(2A) substituted (29.6.2026) by Victims and Courts Act 2026 (c. 19), ss. 12(2)(c), 18(2)

[^key-5c822a8ec46b4adf78512bb76b770fb5]: S. 17(2AA) inserted (29.6.2026) by Victims and Courts Act 2026 (c. 19), ss. 12(2)(d), 18(2)

[^key-bbe7460a5492e62442c21bebf5aa1324]: S. 20(1B)(a) and word omitted (29.6.2026) by virtue of Victims and Courts Act 2026 (c. 19), ss. 12(3)(a), 18(2)

[^key-3e7a9502b72e4c4e214fe2d0844d4613]: S. 20(4A) inserted (29.6.2026) by Victims and Courts Act 2026 (c. 19), ss. 12(3)(b), 18(2)

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