Coronavirus (COVID-19): Justice Analytical Services data report - October 2020
Fifth release of a monthly data report on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the justice system in Scotland, including information from Police Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, and Scottish Prison Service.
This document is part of a collection
Criminal Disposals
In October 2020 there were 6,440 disposals (excluding secondary disposals and the 'other' disposal category) from Scotland's courts. This is 72% of the 19-20 monthly average of 8,956, reflecting the fact that regular court activity (particularly in the Sheriff summary court where the majority of cases are heard) is returning to pre-lockdown levels.
However, as a result of lockdown, between April and October 2020 there were 26,502 (51%) fewer disposals compared to the same time the previous year.
If courts had not been subject to lockdown and crime levels had remained the same we could have expected the number of April to September 2020 court disposals to be similar to April to September 2019 levels.
From April to October of 2020, there have been 46% fewer custodial sentences and 63% fewer community disposals imposed by the courts than might have been expected under normal circumstances.
| To: 31 October 2020 | Monthly average 2019-20 | Oct 2020 | Change % | Apr-Oct 2019 | Apr-Oct 2020 | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imprisonment | 1,011 | 910 | -10% | 7,310 | 3,912 | -46% |
| Community Disposal (CPO & DTTO) | 1,384 | 1,225 | -11% | 9,949 | 3,674 | -63% |
| Restriction of Liberty Order | 296 | 367 | +24% | 2,017 | 1,063 | -47% |
| Fine etc. | 3,106 | 2,362 | -24% | 21,944 | 10,179 | -54% |
| Admonished/ Discharged | 1,481 | 1,576 | +6% | 10,437 | 6,327 | -39% |
Overall, the number of crimes recorded by the police between April and October 2020 was 7% lower than the same period in 2019. It will take time for these cases to move through the courts system and it is unlikely that many of these cases are included in the disposal figures above. Any changes in crime levels may have associated impacts on volumes of court business and disposals.
Further Information: Latest SCTS published official statistics can be found here: https://scotcourts.gov.uk/official-statistics
Contact
Email: Justice_Analysts@gov.scot
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