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  3. New sentencing resource

New sentencing resource

23rd March 2016

 

The Council has brought together comprehensive and easy to read information on sentencing practice in a bid to demystify the sentencing process in Scotland.

Sentencing can be complicated and the resource has been developed to provide comprehensive information in one place. It is designed to assist the public, as well legal practitioners and organisations within the criminal justice system to help explain sentencing to those involved in court proceedings.

The material, now available on our website, sets out clearly and simply how a judge decides a sentence. A section on what the law says outlines the legislation surrounding sentencing including maximum levels available in different courts.

There is a focus on the broad range of factors that judges can consider when deciding a sentence including both those which can decrease the sentence, such as an early guilty plea, and those which can increase it, such as similar previous convictions.

A further section details the many different sentences available in Scotland, when they can be used and what they mean.

All the information is linked to our jargon buster which explains legal terminology in easy to understand language.

High Court Council Member Lord Turnbull says: “We are working to bring together information on sentencing practice in Scotland to create a helpful and user-friendly resource. The material covers the different elements involved in the sentencing process and the range of factors that can be considered when a sentence is decided. Our aim is to create a ‘go to’ resource for anyone wishing to better understand how sentences are decided in our courtrooms every day.”

We are continuing to expand our website and if you would like to suggest further additions please email us.

The ‘About Sentencing’ series was launched following the Council’s second meeting which took place earlier this month.

New web pages:

About Sentencing

What the law says

Sentencing factors

Sentences

Jargon buster

FAQs

Additional

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Scottish Sentencing Council, Parliament House, Edinburgh, EH1 1RQ

Tel: 0300 790 0006 Email: sentencingcouncil@scotcourts.gov.uk
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