Sentencing process guideline
The sentencing process guideline sets out an eight-step process for the sentencing of offenders, explaining how courts arrive at sentencing decisions and what may be taken into account, such as the seriousness of the offence and any aggravating or mitigating factors. The Council believes this will help to improve current knowledge and understanding around sentencing.
Guideline
The sentencing process guideline was approved by the high court on 15 July 2021 and came in to effect on 22 September 2021
Consultation documents
Response to the public consultation
Independent analysis of the public consultation
Scottish Sentencing Council report on public consultation exercise
Responses to the public consultation
The guideline was approved following a hearing at the High Court of Justiciary on 15 July 2021.
It had been the Council’s original intention that its guideline on the principles and purposes of sentencing, being of general application, would also include a description of the sentencing process. However, during the development stages we decided it would be more appropriate to prepare these as separate but complementary guidelines.