UK Community Service?

Question

Hello

My cousin is going to court next week and is likely to get a fine and community service. She is 21 and quite overweight and unfit. What kind of work would they give her? I fail to see how she could be of any benefit to the community. What do they make them do?

Answer 1

Everyone can be of some benefit to the community

There is so much that needs to be done out there!

They could also help her lose her excess weight!

Answer 2

Community Service in this country is now called Unpaid Work. The idea behind it is that it acts as a punishment but also gives the offender a chance to pay something back to the community by means of carrying out unpaid work. If she does receive Unpaid Work, her health will be assessed, amongst other things, and she will receive a suitable placement. Unpaid Work can be carried in placements such as charity shops if you are suitable and you have not committed any violent offences. If she is placed on a project where manual work is carried out, she can ask to be restricted to light duties.

Answer 3

First of all, I am not sure that your cousin will receive both community service and a fine - they are not usually both imposed by magistrates or a judge. Are you mixing a fine up with an order to contribute towards the costs of the prosecution?

The government amalgamated all community penalties such as probation and community service into conditions or requirements of a single community order - probation is now a supervision requirement and CS is now an unpaid work requirement.

As another contributor has explained, unpaid work is tailored around any health or disability issues of a defendant. Your cousin's suitability for unpaid work or supervision or even a curfew will be assessed by a probation officer and a recommendation made to the court, which the Bench can take or leave.

If she is not already represented by a lawyer, might I suggest that you advise her to seek legal advice? She can always ask for the Duty Solicitor at the magistrates' court. Or she may qualify for legal aid to pay the solicitor's fees.

Hope that helps. Good luck.