All disposals
Public Order· POA 1986

Section 4 — Fear or provocation of violence

Using threatening, abusive or insulting words/behaviour, or distributing such material, with intent to cause another to believe immediate unlawful violence will be used, or to provoke it.

Penalty reference

Mode of trial
Either-way
Maximum penalty
6 months / unlimited fine summary; 2 years on indictment.
Out-of-court eligibility
CR
Caution
Cond. Caution

Note: Aggravated form (s.31 CDA 1998 — racially/religiously aggravated): 2 years summary / 7 years indictment.

Triage the circumstances

Quick answers — the engine applies the College/CPS hard rules.

Need a refresher on the terms? See the Glossary.