Publication - Corporate report
Prosecution of young people: report
The Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland's thematic report on the prosecution of young people in the Sheriff and Justice of Peace courts.
78 page PDF
971.9 kB
78 page PDF
971.9 kB
Chapter 2 – Young People in the Criminal Justice System 2016/17
Overview of Cases for Young People Reported to COPFS in 2016/17
30. There were 7,539 cases involving 8,043 young people (age 12 to 17 inclusive) reported to COPFS in 2016/17.[54]
Nature of Offences
31. Chart 1 provides an overview of the offences reported for the 8,043 young people.[55]
Chart 1
* Miscellaneous Crimes category includes offences of public disorder, assaults, stalking and a wide range of low-level and statutory offences.
* The Other Crimes group includes drugs offences, possession of offensive weapons and crimes against public justice, including breach of court orders.
Action Taken[56]
32. Chart 2 provides a breakdown of the prosecutorial action taken.[57]
- 47% were prosecuted: 35% in the sheriff summary court; 8% in the Justice of the Peace Court and 4% in the sheriff solemn court;[58]
- 20% were referred to the Reporter;
- 21% were offered an alternative to prosecution:
- 10% were offered diversion;
- 5% received a written warning;
- 5% were offered a fiscal fine, a compensation order, a combination of a fiscal fine and a compensation order or a fixed penalty;
- 1% were offered a Fiscal Work Order.
- In 12% no action was taken.
Chart 2
Outcomes
33. Chart 3 provides a breakdown of the forum and outcome for all young people prosecuted.
Chart 3
- Of those prosecuted in the sheriff solemn court, there was a finding or plea of guilty in 59%, a finding of not guilty or a not guilty plea was accepted in 14%, 21% of cases were discontinued and in 6% proceedings were still ongoing.
- Of those prosecuted in the sheriff summary court there was a finding or plea of guilty in 70%, a finding of not guilty or a not guilty plea was accepted in 13%, 13% of cases were discontinued and in 4% the proceedings were still ongoing.
- Of those prosecuted in the Justice of the Peace court there was a finding or plea of guilty in 69%, a finding of not guilty or a not guilty plea was accepted in 4%, 22% of cases were discontinued and in 5% the proceedings were still ongoing.
Contact
Email: Carolyn Sharp