PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Sentencing: Attendance (19 April 2022)
Question Asked
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what powers judges have to require the attendance of offenders in court for sentencing.
Asked by:
James Wild (Conservative)
Asked by:
James Wild (Conservative)
Answer
Where an offender is remanded on bail whilst they are awaiting sentencing (as opposed to being remanded into custody), they are under a duty to surrender themselves to the custody of the court at the next appointed time for a sentencing hearing. Where the offender fails in this duty, the court may issue a warrant for their arrest.
Where an offender is being held on remand in custody and they are directed to attend court for a sentencing hearing, a judge has no power to force them to attend the hearing if they refuse to do so.
The Secretary of State is considering the matter.
Answered by:
James Cartlidge (Conservative)
28 April 2022
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