Principal Offence Rule definition
Principal Offence Rule means that where more than one offence is committed simultaneously, only the most serious offence is recorded.
Principal Offence Rule means that where more than one offence is committed at the same time by the same perpetrator(s), only the most serious offence is recorded. For example, where it appears that a homicide and robbery have been committed
Principal Offence Rule means that where more than one offence is committed at the same time by the same perpetrator(s), only the most serious offence is recorded. For example, where it appears that a homicide and robbery have been committed simultaneously, under a principal offence rule, only the most serious offence -the homicide - would be recorded in crime statistics. For police recorded crimes, in 16 jurisdictions only the most serious offence is counted for statistical purposes, while 22 jurisdictions record and count each and every offence separately. 2 jurisdictions were not able to answer this question. For the prosecution, in 19 jurisdictions only the most serious offence is counted for statistical purposes, while 11 jurisdictions record and count each and every offence separately. 10 jurisdictions were not able to answer this question. And for court statistics, in 26 jurisdictions only the most serious offence is counted for statistical purposes, while 6 jurisdictions record and count each and every offence separately and 4 jurisdictions were not able to answer this question31.