A reprimand is a severe, formal or official
reproof. Reprimanding takes in different forms in different legal systems. A reprimand in custody may be a formal legal action issued by a government agency or professional governing board (e.g.
medical board,
bar council). It may also be an administrative warning issued by an employer or school. A judge might reprimand a person in court if they have violated their release order or bail status, and place them back in custody.
United Kingdom
From 1998 until 2013 in the UK, young people aged 10–17 years old could receive a reprimand (provided they had not previously been given a reprimand, a final warning or been found guilty at court). A reprimand was a formal verbal warning given by a police officer to a young person who admitted they are guilty of a 'minor' first offence.
The police passed on the details to the local
Youth Offending Team of those young people given a reprimand. Sometimes the young person would be referred to the YOT to take part in a voluntary programme to help them address their offending behaviour.
Reprimands and final warnings were criminal records (but not convictions) governed by provisions of the
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
Reprimands and Final Warnings were a statutory disposal, created by sections 65–66 of the
Crime and Disorder Act 1998
The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c. 37) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act was published on 2 December 1997 and received royal assent in July 1998. Its key areas were the introduction of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, Se ...
to replace cautions for offenders aged 17 and under. Guidance on the scheme was available for Police and Youth Offending Teams through joint
Home Office
The Home Office (HO), also known (especially in official papers and when referred to in Parliament) as the Home Department, is the United Kingdom's interior ministry. It is responsible for public safety and policing, border security, immigr ...
/
Youth Justice Board
The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB) () is a non-departmental public body created by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to oversee the youth justice system for England and Wales. Its purposes are set out in section 41 of that Act.
It ...
guidance published in November 2002.
In 2013 the system of cautions for young people was reintroduced, and reprimands and final warnings no longer given. This change was part of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
United States
The
Federation of State Medical Boards
The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) of the United States is a national non-profit organization that represents the 71 state medical and osteopathic boards of the United States and its territories and co-sponsors the United States Medica ...
describes a reprimand as a "warning or letter of concern" that a medical board issues to a physician in response to their conduct.
See also
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Censure
A censure is an expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism. In parliamentary procedure, it is a debatable main motion that could be adopted by a majority vote. Among the forms that it can take are a stern rebuke by a legislature, a sp ...
*
Letter of reprimand
A letter of reprimand is a US Department of Defense procedure involving a letter to an employee or service member from their superior that details the wrongful actions of the person and the punishment that can be expected. A ''Formal Letter of R ...
References
{{Authority control
Punishment