Jargon buster

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Headline sentence

The headline sentence is the sentence selected by the court which takes into account the seriousness of the offence and any aggravating and mitigating factors. It does not take into account any adjustment of the sentence for other reasons, such as a reduction for a plea of guilty at an early stage in the case, and may therefore not be the final sentence imposed by the court.

High Court of Justiciary

This is Scotland's supreme criminal court. It hears the most serious criminal cases, such as murder and rape.

Historical offence

This is an offence that has occurred in the past, sometimes when the law or sentence levels were different to how they are now.

HMA

HMA stands for His Majesty’s Advocate and is the title given to the Lord Advocate, the senior law officer in Scotland. All criminal prosecutions in Scotland are raised in the name of the Lord Advocate. See also Advocate depute.

Home Detention Curfew

This is a system where offenders released from prison are fitted with an electronic tag which lets police know where they are. They must stay at an agreed address for about 12 hours every night. Other conditions can be set for each person depending on their offence. Any offender who breaks the curfew can be taken back to prison. Certain violent or sexual offenders are not eligible for tagging. For more information see 'Home Detention Curfew' on our prison sentences page.

 

Originally published on 20 July 2015. Updated on 15 April 2026.