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Section 33: Maximum penalties on summary conviction in pursuance of section 22

Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (1980 c. 43)

(1) Where in pursuance of subsection (2) of section 22 above a magistrates’ court proceeds to the summary trial of an information, then, if the accused is summarily convicted of the offence—

(a) subject to subsection (3) below the court shall not have power to impose on him in respect of that offence imprisonment for more than 3 months or a fine greater than level 4 on the standard scale; and

(b) section 3 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 shall not apply as regards that offence.

(2) In subsection (1) above “fine” includes a pecuniary penalty but does not include a pecuniary forfeiture or pecuniary compensation.

(3) Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) above does not apply to an offence under section 12A of the Theft Act 1968 (aggravated vehicle-taking).

Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk as captured on 2026-08-27. Statute is amended over time — check the source below for the version in force. This is a reference, not legal advice.
View s.33 on legislation.gov.uk

Source: legislation.gov.uk, Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.