Fines Plan For Minor Crimes In Revamp Of Courts System

A fast-track method of allowing minor offenders to pay fines in order to avoid a court appearance is being introduced today as part of sweeping reforms of Scotland’s summary justice system.

For the first time, procurators-fiscal will be able to offer an accused person a “fiscal fine” or the chance to make compensation payments under enhanced powers designed to deal with cases out of court.

Under the reforms – which deal with the thousands of cases dealt with under summary procedures, meaning those cases which are not heard by a jury – new fine enforcement officers will be able to deal with those who can afford to pay their fines but refuse to do so by docking wages and freezing bank accounts.

District courts, currently run by local authorities, will be brought under the management of the Scottish Court Service.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “By dealing more quickly and effectively with summary cases, we can provide swifter justice for victims of crime. The greater use of direct measures by fiscals, in appropriate cases, can provide quicker justice and will in turn free-up the courts to deal more effectively with the more serious cases that must be heard in court.

“The new fines-enforcement regime, together with the tighter bail conditions introduced in December, are also key to securing increasing respect for, and public confidence in, our criminal justice system.

“The programme of court unification will increase the efficiency of all of our courts, by bringing their administration under the umbrella of one service provider – the Scottish Court Service.”

Mr MacAskill said criminal justice agencies and the legal profession had worked hard to prepare for the reforms. He warned that their benefits would not be evident overnight, however.

The Criminal Proceedings (Reform) (Scotland) Act was passed at Holyrood in January last year.

Changes to Scotland’s bail process came into force on December 9 last year as part of the act.

Lothian and Borders Chief Constable David Strang said of the changes to the system: “The Scottish Police Service welcomes the provisions that have been delivered by the summary justice reform programme.

“This will reduce the number of unnecessary court appearances and adjournments making the criminal justice system more efficient, effective and focused on the needs of victims and witnesses.”

Solicitor General Frank Mullholland QC said: “Crim-inal procedure has to be fair, but we should also ensure that cases are progressed through the system as quickly as possible.

“Faster resolution of a case maintains the link between the crime and the penalty in the mind of the offender, and ensures that the public have confidence in the criminal justice system.”