High Level Summary of Statistics Trend Last update: Wednesday, 10th April 2013
Sentences Imposed
The total number of people convicted in Scottish courts increased from 108,600 in 2000-01 to a peak of 134,400 in 2006-07 before falling marginally in 2007-08 and then by 19% since 2007-08 to 108,300 in 2011-12. At an overall level, this reduction is consistent with the principal aim of Summary Justice Reform, that fewer cases go to court needlessly and more are dealt with by non-court actions, where it is more appropriate to do so.
Sentences Imposed by Court Type
The numbers of people convicted in sheriff summary courts (which account for the majority of all people convicted) increased by 28% between 2000-01 and 2006-07, but have fallen by 25% since then to 2011-12; numbers convicted in the High Court have fallen fairly consistently since 2003-04; numbers convicted in sheriff solemn courts rose by 70 per cent between 2000-01 and 2007-08, but have since fallen by 20% to 4,100 in 2011-12; and, the numbers from the district (including Justice of the Peace) courts - which were at their highest level in 10 years during 2009-10 - have fallen by 15% between 2009-10 and 2011-12.
Non Court Disposals
In addition, the Police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service can issue a range of non-court disposals, some of which have been introduced as part of Summary Justice Reform. These include; Anti-social Behaviour Fixed Penalty Notices, which have seen a marginal 1% decrease from 54,300 in 2010-11 to 53,600 in 2011-12 (there was an 11% increase between 2008-09 and 2011-12 overall); and, Fiscal Fines which have increased by 18% from 35,600 in 2010-11 to 42,200 in 2010-11 (an overall 10% increase over the period 2008-09 – 2011-12).
View chart data
Source: Scottish Government Justice Department court proceedings database
Further Information
Criminal Proceedings in Scotland 2011-12