Criminal Behaviour Orders - Annex K
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This prosecution guidance outlines the key considerations for courts when imposing or lifting reporting restrictions in cases involving defendants under the age of 18. It emphasizes the balance between public disclosure and the welfare of young offenders, considering factors such as the age of the offender, public interest in open justice, and the impact of naming a defendant. The guidance further discusses the considerations specific to serious crimes and the implications of any appeals or existing ASBOs.
Key points
- The court must summarize principal factors for imposing reporting restrictions.
- Decisions balance public disclosure and the welfare of youth.
- The age of the offender weighs heavily in decisions.
- Welfare of the child or young person must be a priority according to law.
- Public identification serves as a deterrent for criminal behavior.
- There is a strong public interest in transparent justice processes.
- Weight of factors may change as proceedings progress.
- An appeal can influence the decision regarding naming a defendant.
- ASBOs support the case for public disclosure of court proceedings.
- Impact on family members is not considered.
Public-interest factors
- Public interest in transparency of judicial processes.
- Protection of young offenders' welfare.
- Deterrent effect of naming juvenile offenders.
- Interest in open justice and public knowledge.
- Consideration of offenders' rehabilitation.
- Impact of prior ASBOs on court's decision.
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.