Section 25 — Sentencing Act 2002: Power of adjournment for inquiries as to suitable punishment

25 Power of adjournment for inquiries as to suitable punishment (1) A court may adjourn the proceedings in respect of any offence after the offender has been found guilty or has pleaded guilty and before the offender has been sentenced or otherwise dealt with for any 1 or more of the following purposes: (a) to enable inquiries to be made or to determine the most suitable method of dealing with the case: (b) to enable a restorative justice process to occur: (c) to enable a restorative justice agreement to be fulfilled: (d) to enable a rehabilitation programme or course of action to be undertaken: (e) to enable the court to take account of the offender's response to any process, agreement, programme, or course of action referred to in paragraph (b) , (c) , or (d) . (2) If proceedings are adjourned under this section or under section 10(4) , a Judge or Justice or Community Magistrate having jurisdiction to deal with offences of the same kind (whether or not the same Judge or Justice or Community Magistrate before whom the case was heard) may, after inquiry into the circumstances of the case, sentence or otherwise deal with the offender for the offence to which the adjournment relates. Compare: 1985 No 120 s 14(1) , (5)