WARRANTS AND SENTENCING Flashcards
What are the main roles and responsibilities of the COPFS? (Name one)
1) Investigate, prosecute, and disrupt crime, including seizing proceeds of crime.
2) Establish the cause of sudden/unexplained death.
3) Investigate allegations of criminal conduct against Police officers.
What is the COPFS
The Crown Office And Procurator Fiscals Service
Who carries out an initial investigation? (In Scotland)
Police
If police believe there is enough evidence for prosecution, who do they pass the case onto?
Procurator Fiscal
What does the procurator fiscal do with a case they have been given by police?
Decide the strength of the evidence and whether it’s in public interest to take further action.
What are the two types of criminal procedures?
Summary and Solemn
Who takes forward summary proceedings?
Procurator Fiscal
What is filed for a summary proceeding and who is it taken before?
Complaint. Taken before a Sheriff, Magistrate or Justice Sitting alone/ without a jury
Who takes forwards Solemn Proceedings?
Lord Advocate
What is Served for a solemn proceeding and who is it tried before?
Indictment served. Tried before a Sheriff or Judge (High court) with a Jury of 15.
What matters do Justice of the Peace courts deal with?
Minor Matters
eg. Speeding, Careless driving, Breach of the Peace.
Are Justices of the Peace Legally Qualified?
No, but they are advised by a legally qualified clerk.
Justice of the Peace court judges sit with….
Alone or with a Bench of 3 Justices of the Peace.
How many Sheriffdoms are in Scotland?
6
What matters do Sheriff Courts deal with?
Summary (Sheriff/Summary Sheriff alone) or Solemn (Sheriff and Jury)
What type of court is the High Court?
Court of the first instance and Trial court.
What matters does the High Court deal with?
Most serious cases like rape and murder.
Where are Appeals heard?
Edinburgh Only.
What is the Court of Session?
Scotland’s Supreme Civil Court. (In Parliament House Edinburgh)
What is the Outer house in the Court of Session and what’s it made up of?
The court of the first instance.
Made up of 22 Lords Ordinary.
What is the Inner house in the Court of Session?
An Appeal Court divided into the First and Second divisions. (Presided over by Lord President and Lord Justice)
Where does the inner house hear appeals from?
Outer house, Sheriff and JP Courts.
What is the Maximum fine and length of imprisonment that can be awarded by JP Courts?
Fine up to £2,500.
Up to 60 days of imprisonment.
What is the Maximum fine and length of imprisonment that can be awarded by Sheriff Courts? (Summary cases)
Fine up to £10,000.
Up to 1 year imprisonment.
What is the Maximum fine and length of imprisonment that can be awarded by Sheriff Courts? (Solemn cases)
Unlimited Fine.
Up to 5 years imprisonment.
What is the Maximum fine and length of imprisonment that can be awarded by the High Court?
Unlimited fine.
Up to life in prison.
If a Sheriff (Solemn Cases) decides the maximum sentence they can award isn’t high enough, can they pass the case to the High court?
Yes
Why was the position of Summary Sheriff created?
to ensure cases in Scotland’s courts are heard at the appropriate level, enabling sheriff to focus on solemn and more complex cases.
What do summary sheriff’s do?
They will conduct summary trials and is able to impose appropriate sentences. (Max 1 year and £10,000 fine) May also sit in JP courts (Same powers as a JP)
What is the role of Judge, Sheriff, Justice of the Peace?
To make sure the law is complied with. Sentencing an accused following conviction.
What are the roles of Sheriff Clerk? (Name 1-2)
1) In charge of the administration and running of all cases being dealt with in Sheriff Courts.
2) Make sure court run according to appropriate court rules.
3) Responsible for recording all official documents and evidence.
4) Record decisions made in each case.
Where will a sheriff clerk sit?
Directly in front of the sheriff.
Who is the prosecutor?
In high court- Lord Advocate or Advocate depute
Sheriff Courts - Local Procurator Fiscal or one of the deputes.
What does the prosecutor do?
They present the evidence against the person charged with the crime.
What is an accused solicitor?
Person representing and defending the accused. Accused can represent themselves or nominate a solicitor to do so.
What does a court usher/officer do? (Name 1/2)
1) Calls court to order.
2) Calls witnesses
3) Ensures court readiness to proceed.
4) Keeps record of witness attendance.
What is the role of the Jury?
To hear evidence in serious criminal cases and some civil. They have to truthfully make a decision whether the accused are guilty or not guilty.
What do witnesses do?
They give evidence in a case.
What is the role of a police officer in the courtroom?
They maintain order if necessary.
A person may only be received and detained in a prison where the…
…Governor is satisfied that a valid warrant, order or direction exists.
What are the seven validation points on the warrant?
1) Court of Committal
2) Accused’s Name
3) Accused’s D.O.B
4) Date of sentence
5) Offence
6) Sentence
7) Clerk of courts signature
Where do prisoner’s get processed when they first arrive?
Reception
What gets checked on prisoner’s arrival?
1) Valuable Property
2) Money
What do you do if you receive a warrant which is ambiguously worded/ unclear?
Contact the court immediately for classification of it’s intention. If any changes need to be made an amended extract warrant is to be requested.
At the start of a case, what happens if the individual pleads not guilty?
A date will be fixed for a trial when evidence will be heard. In summary cases an intermediate diet will be held a few weeks before trial to confirm trial will go ahead on allocated date.