What is Section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act?
Asked by: Morris Goldner PhD | Last update: February 6, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (43 votes)
Section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) varies by year, but commonly refers to Section 39 of the CJA 1988, which makes common assault and battery summary offences (tried in lower courts) with penalties up to six months' imprisonment or a fine, though newer acts like the Assaults on Emergency Workers Act 2018 increased penalties for assaults on emergency staff under this section. Other versions, like Section 39 of the CJA 2001, address witness intimidation, while older acts (CJA 1967) dealt with suspended sentences, and Irish law (CJA 1999) involves witness testimony via television link.
How serious is a section 39?
Section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988
Although this rarely results in a custodial sentence, it does appear on your criminal record and repeat offenders of a violent nature could find themselves facing imprisonment. A conviction of Common Assault can result in imprisonment for up to 6 months.
What is Section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988?
39 Common assault and battery to be summary offences.
[F1(1)]Common assault and battery shall be summary offences and a person guilty of either of them shall be liable to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both.
What is Section 39 of the criminal Justice and Police Act 2001?
39 Intimidation of witnesses
he shall be presumed, unless the contrary is shown, to have done the act with the intention of causing the course of justice to be obstructed, perverted or interfered with.
What is Section 39 of the IPC?
Section 39:- “Voluntarily”
A person is said to cause an effect “voluntarily” when he causes it by means whereby he intended to cause it, or by means which, at the time of employing those means, he knew or had reason to believe to be likely to cause it.
Blackburn Magistrates - Section 39 Common Assault Plead Guilty - Pre Sentence Report Required
How is section 39 enforced?
The enforcement power granted by Section 39 can be a useful means to effect corrective action in institutions that have significant operational problems. The FDIC may request an institution to submit a compliance plan that describes the steps the institution will take to correct identified deficiencies.
What is Section 39 of the Criminal Procedure Code of India?
Section 39 of the Code of Criminal Procedure casts a duty on every person who is aware (i) of the commission of, or (ii) of the intention of any other person to commit, the twelve offences listed below, to forthwith give such information to the nearest Magistrate or Police Officer.
What is common assault under Section 39 of the criminal Justice Act?
Section 39 Criminal Justice Act 1988 (CJA 1988)
Common assault is an act by which a person intentionally or recklessly causes another to suffer or apprehend immediate unlawful violence.
How to prove police perjury?
Here's how they do it:
- Filing motions to suppress evidence tied to the false claim.
- Demanding internal police records and misconduct history.
- Subpoenaing body cam logs, timestamps, and chain-of-custody data.
- Using cross-examination to expose contradictions.
- Calling eyewitnesses or experts to dispute the officer's story.
What is the meaning of Section 39?
Section 39. ''Voluntarily''. Previous Next. A person is said to cause an effect "voluntarily" when he causes it by means whereby he intended to cause it, or by means which, at the time of employing those means, he knew or had reason to believe to be likely to cause it. Illustration.
What are the Offences against the Person Act section 39?
Whosoever shall beat, or use any violence or threat of violence to any person, with intent to deter or hinder him from buying, selling, or otherwise disposing of, or to compel him to buy, sell, or otherwise dispose of, any wheat or other grain, flour, meal, malt, or potatoes, in any market or other place, or shall beat ...
Is BNS 39 bailable or not?
Is BNS Section 39 a bailable or non-bailable offense? BNS Section 39 does not define an offense. Instead, it defines an exception to criminal liability for certain acts done in self-defence. Therefore, the question of bailability or non-bailability does not apply directly to this section.
What is Article 39 of the Revised Penal Code?
39. Subsidiary penalty. — If the convict has no property with which to meet the fine mentioned in the paragraph 3 of the nest preceding article, he shall be subject to a subsidiary personal liability at the rate of one day for each eight pesos, subject to the following rules: 1.
What is Section 39 of the Offences against the Person Ordinance?
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (AOABH) is an offence contrary to section 39 of the Offences Against the Person Ordinance ( Chapter 212 ). AOABH is an assault which brings about actual bodily harm. The prosecution must first of all prove all the factual and legal elements of the offence of assault.
What is the most common punishment for assault?
The most common punishment for simple (misdemeanor) assault often involves probation, fines, community service, or short jail time (up to a year), especially for first-time offenders, while more severe forms like aggravated assault (using a weapon, serious injury) lead to felony charges with much longer prison sentences. Penalties vary greatly by jurisdiction, but generally, lesser assaults get probation/jail (months to a year), while aggravated assaults result in felonies and prison (years).
What's the longest police can hold you?
24-hour detention limit
The standard detention period after arrest is 24 hours. Police can hold you for up to 24 hours without charging you, giving them time to investigate and decide whether to proceed with charges.
How to prove someone is falsely accusing you?
You may be able to find video, text, or email evidence that addresses the allegations against you, proving your innocence. In all of these cases, your attorney can call witnesses to testify to the evidence showing that you did not do what you have been falsely accused of doing.
What color do judges like to see in court?
Judges generally prefer neutral, conservative colors like navy, gray, black, and white, as these convey seriousness, respect, and professionalism, avoiding distractions in a formal court setting; bright colors, bold patterns, and overly casual attire should be avoided to show you're taking the proceedings seriously. While some suggest lighter, muted tones (like light blue) might leave a favorable impression, the key is sobriety and fitting in, not standing out.
What is the hardest thing to prove in court?
The hardest things to prove in court involve intent, causation (especially in medical cases where multiple factors exist), proving insanity, and overcoming the lack of physical evidence or uncooperative victims, often seen in sexual assault or domestic violence cases. Proving another person's mental state or linking a specific harm directly to negligence, rather than underlying conditions, requires strong expert testimony and overcoming common doubts.
What is the best defense for assault?
The best defense against an assault charge depends on the specifics, but common successful strategies include self-defense, proving you used reasonable force to protect yourself from imminent harm, or the defense of others, consent (like in sports), lack of intent (it was an accident), false accusation, or challenging the accuser's credibility, often requiring an experienced attorney to analyze evidence like video or witness testimony.
What is the burden of proof in assault cases?
The Burden of Proof Lies With the Prosecution
The burden of proof in a criminal case rests entirely and solely on the prosecution. This means the government, typically represented by the District Attorney, State's Attorney, or U.S. Attorney, has the responsibility to prove the defendant's guilt.
What is the maximum sentence for common assault?
Common assault:
the maximum sentence is six months' custody.
Is section 39 serious?
Legal framework – s39 Criminal Justice Act 1988
Common Assault and Battery are the least serious of the offences against the person.
How much of a statement can be proved?
37 & S. 38 How much of statement to be proved. When any statement of which evidence is given forms part of a conversation, document, electronic record, book or series of letters or paper is to be proved. Previous judgments, order or decree are relevant to bar a second suit or trial.
What are the 5 stages of crime?
In every crime, there is first intention to commit it, secondly, preparation to commit it, thirdly, attempt to commit it and fourthly the accomplishment. The stages can be explained as under: Intention – This is the first stage in commission of a crime.