information for bereaved family and friends following murder or culpable homicide
TRANSCRIPT
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Information for bereaved family and friends following murder or culpable homicide
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Information for bereaved family and friends following murder or culpable homicide
The Scottish Government, Edinburgh 2013
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© Crown copyright 2013
You may re-use this information (excluding logos and images) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ or e-mail: [email protected].
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This document is also available from our website at www.scotland.gov.uk.
ISBN: 978-1-78256-390-7
The Scottish GovernmentSt Andrew’s HouseEdinburghEH1 3DG
Produced for the Scottish Government by APS Group Scotland DPPAS13794 (03/13)
Published by the Scottish Government, March 2013
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Contents
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ContentsIntroduction 1
Section 1: Important contacts
1.1 Key contacts for keeping in touch 8Police 8TheProcuratorFiscal(PF) 8VictimInformationandAdvice(VIA)service 9Supportorganisations 9YourGP 10
1.2 The police Family Liaison Officer (FLO) 10WhoistheFLO? 10WhatistheroleoftheFLO? 10WilltheFLObeinvolvedthroughoutproceedings? 11LiaisonbetweentheFLOandthosewhowillprosecuteanycriminalcase 11
1.3 The Victim Information and Advice (VIA) officer 12WhoistheVIAofficer? 12WhatistheroleoftheVIAofficer? 12
Section 2: What you need to know now
2.1 Identifying the person who was killed 16
2.2 Seeing the body 16
2.3 Telling people about the death 17
2.4 Personal possessions and property 18Personalpossessions 18Whatifthecrimehappenedinmyhouse? 19
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2.5 The post mortem examination 20Whatisapostmortemexamination? 20Possibledelayinmakingfuneralarrangements 20Postmortemreport 21
2.6 Funeral arrangements 22Whencanthefuneraltakeplace? 22Arrangingafuneral 22Payingforafuneral 23HelpfromtheCriminalInjuriesCompensationScheme 23Announcingthedeath 24
2.7 Coping with the media 24Co-operatingwiththemedia 24Whatyoucanandcan’tsay 25WhatcanIdoifIamunhappywithmediareportingorintrusions? 26
Section 3: The criminal investigation
3.1 The police investigation 30
3.2 Gathering evidence 30
3.3 How long will the police investigation take? 31
3.4 The police report 31
3.5 The role of the Procurator Fiscal (PF) 32
3.6 Deciding on charges 33HateCrime 34
3.7 Definitions of murder and culpable homicide 34
3.8 Preliminary charges 35
3.9 Decision on whether to prosecute 36
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Contents
Section 4: The criminal prosecution
4.1 Attending court 40
4.2 What happens before the trial 41Theaccused’sfirstappearanceincourt 41Appearingforfullcommittal 42Preliminaryhearing 43
4.3 Bail 43Consideringbailandbailconditions 43Bailappeals 44
4.4 The High Court 45
4.5 The trial 46
4.6 If you are asked to be a witness 47
4.7 Support from the Witness Service 47
4.8 What to expect from a court case 48
4.9 Witness intimidation 51
4.10 Special measures for vulnerable or intimidated witnesses 51
4.11 Expenses to attend court 54
4.12 Verdicts 54
4.13 Sentencing 55
4.14 Mentally disordered offenders 56Whathappensiftheoffenderismentallyill? 56DisclosureofInformation 58
4.15 Victim statements 58
4.16 Appeals by a convicted person 59
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4.17 Appeals by the prosecution 60
4.18 Bringing a private prosecution 61
4.19 Civil action 61
Section 5: What happens after the sentence has been passed?
5.1 The Victim Notification Scheme 64WhatistheVictimNotificationScheme? 64HowdoIregisterforthescheme? 65Whatwilltheoffenderknow? 65
5.2 How long will the offender be in prison? 66
5.3 Consideration for release 67
5.4 Concerns after the prisoner has been released 68
Section 6: Practical issues
6.1 How to register a death 72
6.2 Murder, manslaughter and suspicious deaths committed in other countries 72
IfaclosefriendorrelativediesabroadandyouareintheUK 72HowcanBritishConsularstaffhelp? 74BringingthepersonwhohasdiedbacktotheUK 75Supportservices 75
6.3 Claiming criminal injuries compensation 76Eligibilityandawards 76Informationandapplication 77
6.4 Legal aid 77
6.5 Benefits 78
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6.6 Wills 79
6.7 Who do you need to tell about the death? 80
6.8 Stopping unwanted mail 81
6.9 Debts 82
6.10 If you have concerns about the criminal justice system 82Thepolice 82TheProcuratorFiscalService 83Courts 83YourMembersoftheScottishParliament(MSPs) 84
Section 7: Useful organisations and support
7.1 Services provided by Victim Support Scotland (VSS) 88VictimService 88SupportAfterMurder(SAM) 88WitnessService 89
7.2 Self-help and other support groups 90Petal(PeopleExperiencingTraumaandLoss) 90CruseBereavementCareScotland 91TheCompassionateFriends 91LesbianandGayBereavementProject 92Samaritans 92
7.3 Other sources of help 93TheMoiraFund 93CitizensAdviceBureau(CAB) 93TheLawSocietyofScotland 94Localauthorityhousingorsocialworkservices 94
Section 8: Understanding the legal process and terms
8.1 Flowchart showing the investigation and prosecution process 98
8.2 Explanation of legal terms 100
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Introduction
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IntroductionIfsomeoneclosetoyouhasbeenmurdered,orifyouarecaringforsomeonewhohasbeenbereavedbymurderorculpablehomicide,thenyoumayfindtheinformationinthispackhelpful.
Ifyouareinthissituation,youareunlikelytoknowwhattoexpect.Thispackgivesyouinformationaboutwhathappensnext,theproceduresinvolved,andhowlongtheymighttakeandwhy.Ithasbeenpreparedwiththehelpofpeoplewhohavebeenthroughasimilarexperience.Itincludesinformationabout:
• howthepolice,theProcuratorFiscal(prosecutors)andcourtswork
• someofthearrangementsyoumayhavetomake
• thehelpandsupportavailabletoyou.
Thepackcoversalotoftopicsbutyoudonothavetoreadeverythingstraightaway.ThepoliceFamilyLiaisonOfficer(FLO)willexplainwhatyouneedtoknownow.Youcankeepthepackandrefertorelevantsectionswhenyouneedto.
Thepackaimstogiveyoubasicinformationaboutthesortofquestionsyoumighthaveatthisdifficulttime.Ifyoufindyouneedmoreinformationaboutcertainissues,thepackprovidescontactdetailsforarangeoforganisations,includingthosethatcanofferyousupport.
Someofthelanguageusedinthepackreflectslegaltermsthatyoumaynothavecomeacrossbefore.Theyhavebeenincludedbecauseyoumayhearthemduringtheinvestigationortrial.Thetermsareexplainedbrieflywheretheycomeupinthepackandinmoredetailinsection8.2.
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If you have been bereaved within the last few hours, you may find it helpful to read the section “What you need to know now”.
Youmightalsowantto:
• keepanoteofthenames,addressesandphonenumbersofthemainpeopleyoumightneedtospeaktoaboutwhatishappening(youcandothisinsection1.1.TheFLOcanhelpyoufillinthedetails)
• writedownquestionsyouwanttoaskorinformationyouhavebeengiven(thereisspacefornotesinthenextfewpagesofthepack)
• keepcopiesofanylettersinasafeplace.
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutanythingyoureadinthepack,asktheFLO,VictimInformationandAdviceofficeroroneoftheorganisationslistedinsection1.1.Iftheycannotgiveyouananswerstraightaway,theywilltryandgetananswerforyouasquicklyastheycan.
Youmayalsowanttohavealookattheleaflet“Copingwithgrief”thataccompaniesthispack.
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Introduction
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Notes
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Notes
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Introduction
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Notes
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Notes
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Section 1: Important contacts
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1.1 Key contacts for keeping in touchYoucanusethissectiontohelpyoukeepanoteofthenames,addressesandphonenumbersofthemainpeopleyoumightneedtospeaktoaboutwhatishappening.
Police
Foradviceandinformationabouttheprogressoftheinvestigationandthelegalsystemingeneral:
ThepoliceFamilyLiaisonOfficer(FLO):
Dutyhourscontactnumber:
Out-of-hoursofficecontact:
Forregisteringconcernsorcomplaintsabouttheinvestigation:
TheSeniorInvestigatingOfficer(SIO):
Postaladdressandtelephonenumber:
The Procurator Fiscal (PF)
Foradviceaboutthecriminalprosecution(andthepostmortemexamination,itsoutcomeandlikelytimingofreleaseofthebodyforthefuneral):
TheProcuratorFiscal:
Telephonenumber(officehours):
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Victim Information and Advice (VIA) service
Forinformationabouttheprogressofthecriminalprosecutionandthetypesofsupportthatmaybeavailabletoyou:
VictimInformationandAdvice(VIA)Officer:
Telephonenumber(officehours):
Support organisations
Forpracticalhelpandinformationandsomeonetotalktoinconfidence:
YourlocalVictimSupportScotland(VSS)service:
Telephonenumber:
(ortheVSSnationalofficeon01316684486,orhelplineson08456039213or08453030900)www.victimsupportsco.org.uk
Forsupportfromotherswhomayhavebeenthroughsimilarsituations:
Petal(PeopleExperiencingTraumaandLoss):(forthoseaffectedbymurderandsuicide)
Telephonehelpline:01698324502E-mail:[email protected]
Other:
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Your GP
YoumayalsofindithelpfultokeepyourGP’scontactdetailsinthissection:
GP:
Telephone:
1.2 The police Family Liaison Officer (FLO)
Who is the FLO?
VerysoonafteradeathyouwillbeintroducedtoaspeciallytrainedpoliceofficerknownasaFamilyLiaisonOfficer(FLO).Heorshehasreceivedtrainingabouttheneedsofpeoplebereavedincircumstanceslikeyours.FLOsarealsoexperiencedinvestigators.
TheFLOwillgiveyouatelephonenumberornumberswhereyouwillbeabletocontactthem,andtheywilltellyouwhentheywillbeavailable.TheywillworkwithyouthroughoutthepoliceinvestigationandmaybeassistedbyotherFLOs.
What is the role of the FLO?
TheFLOactsasacontactpointbetweenyouandtheSeniorInvestigatingOfficer(SIO)whodirectsallpartsoftheinvestigation.TheFLOispartoftheinvestigationteamandhasspecifictaskstocarryout.Theyhavetwomainfunctions:
• togatherallavailableinformationfromyouandotherfamilymembersaboutthepersonwhohasdiedandtopassthatinformationontotheSIOand
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• toactasapointofcontactbetweenyouandtheSIO,andtokeepyouupdatedaboutdevelopmentsintheinvestigation.
TheFLOwillalso:
• helpyouwithimmediatetasks,suchasidentifyingthebody
• keepyouinformedofprogresswiththeinvestigation
• withyourconsent,ensureyouarereferredtoyourlocalvictimsupportserviceorothervoluntarygroup
• duringthepoliceinvestigation,giveyouadviceandguidanceabouthowthecriminaljusticesystemworks
• helpyoutomanageanymediainterestinthecase
• helpansweranyquestionsyoumayhaveandwherepossibledirectyoutosomeoneelsewhocanhelp.
Ifyourfamilyisestrangedorseparated,theFLOwillarrangetonotifyotherpeopleofthedeathonyourbehalf.Theywillalsocontactotherpeopleiftheirrelationshiptothepersonwhodiedmeanstheyareentitledtobenotified.
Will the FLO be involved throughout proceedings?
TheFLOwillworkwithyouforalimitedtimeandthenhandovertheliaisonroletothosewhowillprosecutethecase.Moredetailsofhowandwhenthiswillbedonearegiveninthenextsection.
Liaison between the FLO and those who will prosecute any criminal case
Fromanearlystage,theFLOwillliaisewiththeVictimInformationandAdvice(VIA)service.VIAispartoftheScottishprosecutionservice,calledtheCrownOfficeandProcuratorFiscalService
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(COPFS).ThenextsectiongivesmoreinformationabouttheVIAserviceandthearrangementsforliaisonbetweentheFLOandtheVIAofficer.
Thereisspaceinsection1.1foryoutowritedowntheFLO’stelephonenumber.
1.3 The Victim Information and Advice (VIA) officer
Who is the VIA officer?
TheVIAofficeristheretoupdateyouabouttheprogressonthecaseandgiveyougeneralinformationaboutthecriminaljusticesystem.Theycanalsoreferyoutoorganisationsthatcanofferpracticalandemotionalsupportifthatwouldbehelpful.
WhenyourcaseisreferredtotheProcuratorFiscal,aVIAofficerwillprovideyouwithinformationandadviceaboutwhatishappening.BecausetheyworkfortheProcuratorFiscal,theyhavedirectaccesstoinformationaboutthecase.
What is the role of the VIA officer?
TheVIAofficercantelltheFLOtheoutcomeofpreliminarycourtproceedings.Forexample,theywillexplainiftheaccusedisincustodyorhasbeenreleasedonbail.
TheFLOwillwithdrawfromthecaseandpassresponsibilitytoVIAforgivingyouinformation.Whenthishappenswilldependonthecircumstancesofthecase.Itmaybeafterthefuneral,aftertheaccusedfirstappearsincourt,oritmaybelaterifpoliceinvestigationshavenotbeencompleted.
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AmeetingwillbeheldsothatyoucanmeettheVIAofficerbeforetheFLOwithdrawsfromthecase.Untilthatmeetinghastakenplace,allliaisonwithyouwillbethroughtheFLO.
TheVIAofficerwillprovideinformationandadviceuptotheendofthecriminalcase,includinganyappeal.Theycanalsogiveyouinformationaboutsourcesofsupportafterthecourtcaseisover(seealsosection7).
TofindoutmoreaboutVIA,call013897395577or08445613000orgotowww.crownoffice.gov.ukclickon“Areyouavictimofcrime?”.UnlikepoliceFamilyLiaisonOfficers,VIAstaffdonotworkshiftsorhaveout-of-officecontactnumbers.YoucancontactVIAduringofficehoursand,ifyouleaveamessageoutwiththesetimes,theywillcallyoubackassoonaspossible.
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Section 2: What you need to know now
The next few pages will tell you things you may want to know straight away.
2
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2.1 Identifying the person who was killedAftersomeonehasdied,theyaretakentoahospitalmortuaryoralocalauthoritymortuary.
Thenextstepisapostmortemexaminationtoestablishthecauseofdeath.Beforethepostmortemcantakeplace,thedeceasedpersonmustbeidentifiedbytwopeoplewhoknewthem.Itisnotessentialthatthesearenearestrelatives.Identificationcansometimesbedoneusingavideolink.
Ifyouarenotoneofthepeoplewhoidentifiesthebody,youcanstillchoosewhetherornottoseethepersonatalatertime.YoucandiscussthiswiththeFLO.
Therearetimeswhen,becauseoftheinjuriessustainedbytheperson,thepolicecannotpositivelyidentifythem.Inthesecases,identificationismadebyothermethodssuchasdentalrecords,fingerprintsandDNAfrom,forexample,ahairbrushortoothbrush.InsomecasesDNAsamplestakenfrommouthswabsofbloodrelativesmayberequired.TheFLOwillexplainthereasonsfortheseandhowtheyareusedtoidentifythevictim.
2.2 Seeing the bodyDecidingwhethertoseesomeonewhohasdiedisdifficultenoughinordinarycircumstances.Iftheyhavebeenkilledinaviolentway,thismaymakethedecisionevenmoredifficult.
Youmaybeworriedabouthowthebodywilllookbecauseofthecircumstancesofthedeath.Thepolicemaybeabletotellyouthenatureoftheinjuriesbuttheywillnotnormallybeabletodiscusstheminanydetail.Someinformationmayhavetobeheldbackso
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thatitdoesnotaffect(prejudice)theprosecutioncase.Thepolicewilltellyouiftheyhavetowithholdinformationfromyouandwhy.Itisimportantyouareawarethatthisishappeningandthatmoreinformationmaycomeoutduringthetrial.
Beingworriedornervousaboutseeingthebodyisperfectlynormal.Youmayfeelthatitwillnotseemreal,oryoumaynotwantyourlastmemoryofthepersontobeinacoffinoratthemortuary.Youmaychoosetosaygoodbyeorremembersomeoneastheywere.Ifyoudodecidetoseethebody,youshouldexpectittofeelcoldtothetouch.Inmostcases,youwillnotbeabletotouchthebodyuntilitisreleasedforburialorcremation.
Seeingthepersonwhowaskilledcanbethefirststeptowardshandlinggriefandhelpingyoufacetherealityofdeath.Somepeoplewhodecidenottoseethemcanfindithardertoaccepttheirdeath.
Youmaynotbeabletoseethemuntilafterapostmortemhasbeencarriedout.Thisisbecauseforensicevidenceisoftenfoundontheclothesandfromthebodyduringthepostmortem.Thismayhelptoidentifyandconvictasuspectsoitisimportantthattheevidenceispreserved.TheFLOwillexplainwhyyoucanorcannotseethebody,andifyoucan,whetheryoucantouchthemornot.
2.3 Telling people about the deathThepolicewilltrytoinformthenearestrelativesaboutadeathasquicklyaspossible.Theymaynotknoweveryonewhoshouldbecontacted,soletthemknowifthereissomeoneyouthinktheyshouldcontactonyourbehalf,oryoumaywanttocontactpeopleyourself.
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Asindicatedinsection1.2,ifyourfamilyisestrangedorseparated,theFLOmayneedtotellotherpeopleaboutthedeathbecauseoftheirrelationshiptothedeceasedperson.
Losingsomeoneinthesecircumstancesisshattering.Organisationswhichcanoffersupportarelistedinsection7andthereisspaceinsection1.1foryoutokeepanoteoftheircontactdetails.
2.4 Personal possessions and property
Personal possessions
Partofthepoliceinvestigationwillbetogatherforensicevidence(thescientificevidencecollectedfromthecrimescene,thebodyofthedeceasedandfromotherpeople).Thismaymeanthepoliceneedtotakeawaypersonalpossessionswhichbelongedtothepersonwhowaskilled.Thiscanincludeclothesandjewellery.TheFLOorVIAofficerwilltellyouthereasonforthis.
Someoftheitemsmaybeneededasevidenceinaprosecution.Theywillusuallybereturnedafterthetrial(orafteranappeal,ifthereisone).Itmaynotalwaysbepossibletoreturneverythingtoyouassomeitemsmaybecontaminatedandunsafe.Ifthisisthecase,theVIAofficerwillexplainwhatthismeans.
YoushouldlettheVIAofficerknowofanyitemswhichareparticularlyprecioustoyouandeveryeffortwillbemadetoreturnthem.TheVIAofficerwillalsotellyouifanyofthepropertyisdamaged,orhasbeenalteredsothatitcanbeusedasevidence.Youcanthendecidewhetheryouwanttohavethatitemreturned.
Ifpossessionsaretobeusedasevidenceinaprosecution,theymaynotbereturnedforsometime.Theywillnormallybereturned
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afterthetrialhasfinishedbut,ifthereisanappeal,theirreturnmaybedelayed.Ifnooneischargedinrelationtothedeath,thepolicemayneedtokeepsomeitems–suchasclothingwornbythevictim–indefinitely.
What if the crime happened in my house?
Thepolicemaytakepossessionsfromthehouseiftheyarerelevanttotheinvestigation.Theywillhavetosealthepropertywhileevidenceisgathered.Thismaymeanyouwillnotbeabletogetintoyourhome.Ifthisisthecase,oritisunreasonableforyoutocontinuetostayinthehouse,thelocalauthoritywillhelpyoutofindtemporaryaccommodation,ifnecessary.
Thepolicewilltakealltheevidencetheycanfromyourhomeandletyouhaveaccesstothepropertyassoonaspossible.Youmayfeelyouwanttocleanyourhomebeforelivinginitagain,oryourhomemayneedtobecleanedbeforeyoucanliveinitagain.Insomecasesthelandlordoryourhouseholdinsurerscanarrangeforthecleaningtobedone.YoucanaskyourFLOoraVictimSupportvolunteertomakeenquiriesaboutthisforyou.
Evenifthecrimedidnothappeninthehouse,incertaincircumstances,thepolicemaystillhavetocarryoutaforensicexaminationorasearchofthehouse.Theywillexplaintoyouwhytheyarehavingtodothisandtrytoletyouknowhowlongitmaytake.
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2.5 The post mortem examination
What is a post mortem examination?
Shortlyafterthepersonhasdiedorthedeathhasbeendiscoveredtherewillbeapostmortemexamination(amedicalexaminationtodeterminethecauseofdeath).
Ifyouhavecultural,religiousorotherobjectionstoapostmortembeingcarriedout,youshouldtelltheProcuratorFiscal(PF).Theywilltrytorespectyourwishes,butitmaystillbenecessarytoholdapostmortem,inordertoprovecriminalchargesarisingfromthedeath.
Apostmortemiscarriedoutbytwodoctors(calledpathologists).TheSeniorInvestigatingOfficer(SIO)andthePFattendthepostmortem.Thisistoensurethatallavailableevidenceisgatheredandtogetinformationfromthepathologiststohelpwiththecriminalinvestigation.
Possible delay in making funeral arrangements
Morethanonepostmortemexaminationmaytakeplaceifmorethanonepersonischargedwithanoffencetodowiththedeath.Youmayfindthisdistressingandyoushouldbepreparedforadelaywhilethisisbeingorganised.
Wherenooneisarrestedquickly,theProcuratorFiscalmayhavetodelayreleasingthebodyforthefuneral.Thisistopreserveevidenceuntilasuspectisarrestedandcharged.
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Post mortem report
Thepostmortemreportgivesdetailsofthemedicalexaminationandwill,inthemajorityofcases,givethecauseofdeath.Theremaybeadditionallaboratorytestscarriedouttoassistinidentifyingthecauseofdeath.Itcantakesometimefortheresultsofthesetobecomeavailable.
Ifthepostmortemmeansthatitisnecessarytoremoveorgansortissue,theFLOwillbeabletotellyouordiscussanyconcernsyouhave.Youcanaskfortheorgansortissuebacktoarrangetohavethemburiedorcremated,oryoucanaskthehospitalormortuarytocrematethemforyou.YoushoulddiscussanyconcernsyouhaveaboutanyoftheseissueswiththeFLOorVIAofficer.
Wherethedeceasedhadexpressedawishtodonateorgansortissueforthepurposesoftransplantation,everyeffortwillbemadetotrytomakethispossible.Ifthecauseofdeathissuspicioushowever,donationmaynotalwaysbepossible.Thisisbecauseforensicexaminationmayberequiredtoensurethebestpossibleevidence.IfdonationistoproceedinthesecircumstancestheapprovaloftheProcuratorFiscalwillbeneeded.
Ifyouhaveanyquestions,youmayfinditusefultowritethesedowninadvanceandtomakenotesofyourdiscussion.Itcanbehardtorememberthingsduringtimesofstress.Youcanusethespaceatthefrontofthispackfornotes.
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2.6 Funeral arrangements
When can the funeral take place?
ThefuneralcantakeplaceoncetheProcuratorFiscal(PF)hasgivenpermissiontoreleasethebodyforburial.Ifyouwanttohaveacremation,telltheFamilyLiaisonOfficerassoonaspossiblebecausethiswillrequirespecialpermissionfromthePF.Ifalltheaccusedhavebeenidentifiedandchargedandthedefenceindicatetheirinvestigationiscomplete,thePFcanauthorisecremation.
Incasesofmurderandculpablehomicide,thefuneralmaytakeplacesometimeafterthedeath.Thismaybelinkedtothepostmortemorcollectionofevidence.Somereligionssaythatafuneralmusthappenassoonaspossible.Ifthisisthecase,youshouldlettheFLOknow.ThePFwilltrytorespectyourwishesbutthismaynotalwaysbepossible.
Arranging a funeral
Ifyouarearrangingafuneral,youmayhavemanydecisionstomake–forexample,wheretoholdit,whethertohaveaburialoracremation,whatshouldbesaidatthefuneral,whoshouldbeinvited,whethertoaskforflowersordonations,whetherornottohaveamemorial.Afuneraldirector,yourministerorfaithleaderwillbeabletodiscusstheoptionswithyou.
Youwillneedtoconsiderifanyinstructionswereleftinawill(seesection6.6).Youmayalsowanttoconsiderthewishesofothersclosetothedeceasedperson.
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Paying for a funeral
Ifthedeceasedpersonwasinwork,adeath-in-servicepaymentmaybeavailable,ortheemployermayhaveabenevolentfundwhichcanhelp.Sometimesanoccupationalorpersonalpensionschemewillprovidealumpsumtowardsfuneralcosts.Findoutwhetherthepersonwhodiedwasamemberofacremationsocietyorhadapre-paidfuneralplanoraninsurancepolicytocoverthecostofthefuneral.
Funeralscanbeexpensive.Ifyouareonalowincome,theGovernmentmayhelpwithsomeofthecostsofthefuneral.AFuneralPaymentisavailableforpeoplewithalowincomeorwhoareclaimingbenefits.Thiscanbepaidupto3monthsafterafuneralhastakenplace.ContacttheDWPBereavementService.TheycancheckifyouqualifyforaFuneralPayment,andcantakeyourclaimoverthephone.
• Phone08456060265then:
• Selecttheoption“ifyouarecallingtotellusaboutsomeonewhohasdied,orcheckwhathelpmaybeavailablefollowingabereavement”.
YourlocalCitizensAdviceBureaumayalsobeabletohelpansweranyquestions(thenumberisinthetelephonedirectory).
Help from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
YoumaybeeligibletoclaimthecostofreasonablefuneralexpensesfromtheCriminalInjuriesCompensationScheme(CICS).Thiswillbepaidtothepersonpayingforthefuneral,eveniftheyarenoteligibletoclaimcompensationunderthetermsofthescheme.Accountwillbetakenofyouroryourlovedone’sreligiousandculturalbackgrounds.
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Furtherdetailsontheschemecanbefoundatsection6.3.VictimSupportScotlandmaybeabletoassistyouwithyourCICSclaim.Theycanbecontactedon01316684486(nationaloffice)or08456039213and08453030900(helplines).
Announcing the death
Youmaywanttoputanannouncementaboutthedeathinthenationalorlocalnewspapers,givingdetailsofthefuneral.Thenewspaperwilladviseyouhowtodothisoryoucanaskyourfuneraldirectortoarrangethings.Forsecurityreasons,youmaydecidenottoincludeyouraddress.
Afuneraldirectorcanhelpyouconsideroptions,organisethefuneralandmanagethepaperwork.Ifyoudecidetouseone,youwillfindthenamesoflocalfuneraldirectorsinyourlocaltelephonedirectory.
TheNationalAssociationofFuneralDirectors(www.nafd.org.ukor08452301343)canprovidedetailsoffuneraldirectorsthroughouttheUKwhocomplywithqualitycodesofpractice.
2.7 Coping with the media
Co-operating with the media
Newspaper,magazine,televisionandradiojournalistsmaybeinterestedinthedeathandanycourtcasethatfollows.Theymaytelephoneyou,knockonyourdoororapproachyouatacourthearing.Theymaybroadcastorpublishyournameandaddress.
Talkingtojournalistsandhearingaboutalovedoneinthemediamaybedistressing.Mostjournalistswillunderstandifyousayyou
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donotwanttotalktothem.Oryoumightdecidethatitwouldbehelpfulforjournaliststocoverthecase,forexampletomakeanappealforinformation.
Youmightwanttochooseaparticularfamilymembertospeaktothemediaonyourbehalf,especiallyifthereisanappealtothepublicforinformation.TheSeniorInvestigatingOfficerwillmanagethereleaseofinformationtothemedia,totrytogetthebestpossiblehelpfromthepublictoaidtheinvestigation.
Ontheotherhand,youmaynotbehappytoco-operatewiththemedia,andyoumayfindtheirinterestinyou,orthepersonwhohasbeenkilled,intrusiveordistressing.Ifyoudo,youshouldtelltheFLOwhomaybeabletohandlequestionsforyou.
Journalistsmayaskforaphotographoftheperson.Youmaywanttoconsiderhowtheywouldwanttobeseenorremembered.TheFLOcanarrangeforanexistingphotographtobealteredifnecessary–forexample,takinganimagefromagroupphoto.
What you can and can’t say
Ifyoudodecidetospeaktojournalists,youmayfindithelpstopreparewhatyouwanttosayinadvance.Thismighttaketheformofashortstatementwhichyoucangiveout,readorhavereadforyou(forexample,bythepoliceor,ifyouhaveone,yoursolicitor).TheFLOwillhelpyouwiththis.
Ifsomeoneisbeingblamedforthedeath,itisimportantthatyoudonotmakeanypubliccommentaboutthemwhichmightbeharmfultoacourtcase.Thepoliceoryoursolicitorwillbeabletogiveyouadvicetoensureyoudonotsaysomethingbyaccidentwhichmaycauseproblemsfortheinvestigationandprosecution.
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What can I do if I am unhappy with media reporting or intrusions?
Ifyouareconcernedaboutthewaythemediaisbehavingorreportingevents,tellthepoliceoryoursolicitor.Theymaynotbeabletostopwhatishappening,buttheymaybeabletotakestepstoreduceitorgiveyouadviceonhowtotrytocopewithit.
Ifyouareunhappywithajournalist’sconductorthinkthattheyhavepublishedorbroadcastsomethingthatisincorrectorunfair,youcanmakeacomplainttotherelevantnewspaper,TVorradiostation.Todothis,youcanwritetotheeditororpublisherofanewspaper,orthedirectorofaTVorradiostation.Sometimesthemediaoffertoprintorbroadcastanapology.Anewspaperormagazinemayoffertoprintaletterfromyouifyouconsiderthistobeappropriate.
ThePressComplaintsCommission(PCC)canhelpwithphysicalharassmentbythemedia.ThePCC’semergency24-houradviceservice,designedtoofferround-the-clockhelp,is07659152656.ThePCCwillcontacttheeditorconcernedanddealwithyourcomplainturgently,aimingtostopanyharassmentthatisoccurring.Itmayalsobeabletocommunicateyourconcernsacrosstheindustryviaageneral“desist”message,whichshouldalleviatetheproblem.ThePCC’sguidanceonharassmentcanbereadhere–http://www.pcc.org.uk/code/advice_for_complainants.html?article=Mzg2Mw.
Journalistsarealsogovernedbynationalcodesofpracticethatrequirethemtorespecttheprivacyandfeelingsofbereavedpeople:
• ThePCCisanindependentbodywhichadministersthesystemofself-regulationfornewspapersandmagazines(andtheirwebsite).ThePCCdealswithcomplaints,framedwithinthe
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termsoftheEditors’CodeofPractice,abouttheeditorialcontentofnewspapersandmagazines.Moreinformationisavailableatwww.pcc.org.ukortelephone02078310022(textphone02078310123).ThePCChaspublishedspecificguidancewhichsetsouthowthePCCcanhelpmembersofthepubliccopewithmediaattentionfollowingthedeathofarelativeorafriend–http://www.pcc.org.uk/code/advice_for_complainants.html?article=NzE5OA
ThePCCcanalsoassistindividualsbyrepresentingtheirintereststoeditorsinadvanceofanarticleaboutthembeingpublished.Thereisnoneedtomakeaformalcomplainttousethisservice.PleasecontactthePCCdirectifyouareconcernedaboutanymaterialaboutyouthatisyettobepublished.
• TheOfficeofCommunications(Ofcom)regulateswhatisbroadcastonTVandradio.Ifyoubelievethataprogrammehastreatedyouunfairlyorhasinvadedyourprivacyeitherinthemakingofitand/oritsbroadcast,thenyoucanmakeacomplainttoOfcom.Acomplaintformisavailableatwww.ofcom.org.uk/complain/oryoucanaskOfcomtosendacopyoftheformtoyou.Thisshouldbedoneassoonaspossibleafterthebroadcastoftheprogramme.Youcanfindoutmoreatwww.ofcom.org.ukorbytelephoning03001233333or02079813040(textphone02079813043).
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3.1 The police investigationThepolicewillinvestigatethedeath.TheydothisonbehalfoftheProcuratorFiscal(PF)andreporttheirfindingstothePF.TheinvestigationwillberunbyaSeniorInvestigatingOfficer(SIO),whoisnormallyaseniordetective.TheSIOhasbeentrainedintheinvestigationofmurderandculpablehomicidecasesandwillberesponsibleforateamofofficerswhowillcarryouttheenquiriesneeded.TheSIOwillappointaFamilyLiaisonOfficer(FLO)tobethelinkbetweentheinvestigationteamandthefamily.TheSIOwillnormallycontactthefamilythroughtheFLO(seesection1.2).
ThepoliceworkcloselywiththePFthroughouttheinvestigation.ThePFundertakestheirowninvestigationoftheevidenceandhasfinalresponsibilityfortheoverallinvestigationofthedeath(seesections3.5and3.6).
3.2 Gathering evidenceThepoliceroleismainlytogatherinformation.Attimes,especiallyinthefirstfewhoursoftheinvestigation,thismayseeminsensitive.Butthemoreinformationthepolicecanget,themoretheywillunderstandthecircumstancesofthedeath.Theremayalsobeinformationthattheycannotsharewithyou(suchasdetailsofinjuries)–thisisbecauseitwouldharmanyfutureprosecution.
Asexplainedinsection2.4,thepolicemayneedtokeepsomepersonalitemsbelongingtothedeceasedpersonorsealyourhomewhilegatheringevidence.
TheFLOwillaskyouindetailabouttheperson.YoumayfindthisdifficultasitmayfeelliketheFLOispryingintoyourprivatelife.Thisisnottheintention–itisjustthatthemorethepoliceknow
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aboutyourlovedone,themorechancetheywillhaveofidentifyingwhocommittedthecrimeandcollectingtheevidencetheyneed.
AnystatementyougivetothepolicemaybegiventothedefencesolicitorinthefirstfewweeksafterthecaseisreportedtotheProcuratorFiscal.Defencesolicitorsarenotallowedtopasswitnessstatementsorcontactdetailstotheaccused.Ifyouhaveanyconcernsabouttheinformationthatmayhavebeenpassedtothedefence,letVIAknow.
3.3 How long will the police investigation take?
Thereisnosettimescaleforcompletionofapoliceinvestigation.Insomecases,thepolicewillmakeanarrestveryquicklyandbeabletosubmitareporttotheProcuratorFiscal(PF)immediately.Inothercases,theymightsuspectwhoisresponsibleforthedeathbutbeunabletofindthem.Orthepoliceinvestigationitselfmaytaketime.
Ifthereisnotenoughevidencetochargeasuspect,aseniorofficerwillbeappointedtoreviewtheinvestigation.Thatofficermaycontactyoudirectly.Ifaninvestigationisthenclosed,itwillbereviewedregularlyandanynewinformationwillbeactedupon.
3.4 The police reportThepolicereportisaconfidentialdocumentthatsummarisestheinformationfromwitnesses,anyinterviewswithsuspects,anyavailablereportsfromspecialistsandotherrelevantmaterial.ThisevidenceisusedbythePFtodecidewhetherthereisenoughevidencetobeginaprosecution.
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3.5 The role of the Procurator Fiscal (PF)ProcuratorsFiscalarethepublicofficialswhoinvestigateallsuddenandsuspiciousdeaths.TheyarelawyersandareemployedbytheCrownOfficeandProcuratorFiscalService(COPFS).
PFsareresponsiblefor:
• instructingapostmortemexamination(seesection2.5)
• investigatingthecircumstancesofadeath
• instructinginvestigationstotrytofindoutthecauseofadeath
• consideringwhetherpreliminarycriminalproceedingsarerequiredandaresupportedbytheavailableevidence(seesection3.6)and
• reportingthecasetoCrownCounselforadecisionaboutcriminalproceedings.
ThePFconsidersthereportcompiledbythepoliceintothecircumstancesofadeathandmakesdecisionsonpreliminarycharges(seesection3.6).Aftertheaccusedhasappearedincourtonpreliminarycharges(seesection4.2),thePFmayinterviewwitnessesandcollectotherevidence(thisstageiscalledprecognitionandisexplainedmorefullyinsection3.8).
ThePFwillthensendareporttoateamofseniorprosecutors(calledCrownCounsel).ItisCrownCounselwhodecidewhetheracriminalprosecutionshouldtakeplace,againstwhomandonwhatcharges.Insomecases,thedecisionwillbethatnoproceedingswilltakeplace.
YoucanasktotalktothePFatanytimeandtheywilltrytoansweryourquestions,thoughtheywillnotbeabletodiscusstheevidencewithyou.TheFLOorVIAOfficercantellyouhowtocontactthePF,andyoucankeeptheircontactdetailsinsection1.1.
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TheCrownOfficeandProcuratorFiscalService(COPFS)producesleafletsabouttheworkoftheProcuratorFiscal,includingtheinvestigationofcriminaldeaths.TheseareavailablefromtheProcuratorFiscalorfromCOPFS’websitewww.crownoffice.gov.uk.
3.6 Deciding on chargesIfapoliceinvestigationindicatesthattheconductofoneormorepeopleamountedtoacrime,thePFwilldecidewhethertheyshouldbebroughttocourttoansweranypreliminarycharge(s).Someonewhoisbeingchargedwithanoffenceisreferredtoas“theaccused”.
Sometimes,thePFmayneedthepolicetocarryoutfurtherinvestigationsbeforereachingadecisionaboutprosecution.
IfthePFbringsaninitialchargeofmurderagainsttheaccused,theymustthenmakearecommendationtoCrownCounselaboutwhetherthechargeshouldremainasmurder.CrownCounselwillconsidertheevidenceanddecidewhatthechargeshouldbe.TheyalsoconsiderwhetherornotthePFshouldopposebailfortheaccused.
YouwillbeinvitedtoameetingwithrepresentativesofthepoliceandCrownOfficeandProcuratorFiscalService–usuallytheFLO,SIOandVIAOfficer.Atthismeeting,thepolicewillexplaintheprogressoftheinvestigationtodateandVIAwillexplainwhatwillhappennext.Youwillbeabletoaskquestionsorraiseanyconcernsyoumayhavebutitisnotpossibletodiscusstheevidence.
ThePFmaywanttointerviewanyfamilymemberswhomayhavewitnessedsomethingrelevanttotheinvestigation.
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Hate Crime
Acrimecommittedbecausetheaccusedismotivatedbyprejudiceagainstaparticularrace,religion,sexualorientation,transgenderidentityordisabilityisdescribedasacrimeaggravatedbyprejudiceorahatecrime.Ifyoufeelthatthedeathofyourlovedoneinvolvedsuchacrime,thenpleasetellthepoliceandtheProcuratorFiscalofthis.Allcrimesofprejudiceareintolerableandwherethereissufficientevidenceinlawofsuchprejudicethiswillbeincludedinanychargesanaccusedpersonwillface.
3.7 Definitions of murder and culpable homicide
Murderiscommittedwhentheaccusedhasactedwiththeintentionofkillingthevictimorwheretheaccused’sconducthasbeen“wickedlyreckless”.
Culpable homicideiscommittedwheretheaccusedhascausedlossoflifethroughwrongfulconduct,butwheretherewasnointentiontokillor“wickedrecklessness”.Thismayalsobeconsideredwhereinlawtheaccusedisfoundtobeof“diminishedresponsibility”becauseofsomementalillness,orwheretherewasprovocation.
“Wickedrecklessness”willbeinferredfromthecircumstancesoftheaccused’sactions.Normallythiswillbebasedontheseverityoftheinjuriesandotherfactorsaboutthenatureoftheassault.
Insomecases,anaccusedmaybechargedinitiallywithmurderbutCrownCounselmaydecidethattheevidencedoesnotsupportamurdercharge.Theaccusedwillthenbetriedonachargeofculpablehomicideor,possiblyanotherchargesuchasassault.Changeslikethiscanalsohappenduringthetrial.
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VIAwilladviseyouaboutanychangeslikethis.Wherepossible,youwillbegiventhereasonsforachangetotheoriginalcharge.Itmaynotalwaysbepossibletogiveyouafullexplanationatthetimethedecisionismade–insomecasesthisisbecauseitmightcauseproblemsinbringingthecasetotrial.
3.8 Preliminary chargesIfanaccusedischargedwithanoffenceinrelationtothedeath,theywillappearincourtwhileinvestigationstogatherevidencecontinue.
Whenanaccusedappearsincourtonpreliminarycharges,theywillbegivenadocument(calledapetition)thattellsthemwhatinitialchargetheywillface.Theywillthenbefullycommittedfortrial.Moreinformationaboutthesecourthearingsisgiveninsection4.2.
Theaccusedmaybegivenbailorkeptincustody(prisonoraYoungOffender’sInstitution)betweencourthearings.Thisisexplainedinmoredetailinsections4.2and4.3.
Atthatstage,thePFwillbegintheirdetailedinvestigation(calledtheprecognitioninvestigation).
ThepurposeofprecognitionisforthePFtoexaminealltheavailableevidenceandobtainanymoreevidencethatisneeded.Thiscouldincludeforensicormedicalevidencewhichsupportsthecase.
ThePFmayinterviewwitnesses,andensurethatalltheinvestigationthatneedstobedoneiscompleted.Youmaybeinterviewedsothataprecognition(statement)canbetakenfromyou.
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Youmayalsobeinterviewedbythedefencelawyerorsomeoneontheirbehalf(aprecognitionagent).Ifthereismorethanoneaccused,youmayhavemorethanoneinterview.Defencelawyersoragentsshouldalwayscontactyouinadvanceandofferyouasuitabletimeandplacefortakingyourprecognition.Thisisanessentialpartofproceedingsandyoushouldco-operatewithanyrequests.Moreinformationaboutthisisgiveninsection4.6.
3.9 Decision on whether to prosecuteThePFmakesrecommendationstoCrownCounselaboutwhetherthereshouldbecriminalchargesandwhattheyshouldbe.
Beforemakingtheserecommendations,thePFwillhaveconsideredthelaw,theevidenceandwhetheritisinthepublicinteresttoprosecute.ThismeansthecrimehastoberecognisedinScotsLaw.Therealsohastobeenoughreliableandcredibleevidencethatthecrimewascommittedandthattheaccusedwasresponsible.
VIAofficer(seesection1.3)willinformyouaboutwhathappenstothecase.Theywillautomaticallygiveyouthisinformationbyletter–youdonotneedtoaskforit.Contactthemifyouhaveanyconcernsaboutthecaseorwantexplanationsaboutanypartoftheprocedure.VIAwillalsogiveyoudatesforcourthearings(includinganytrialdates).Thesecansometimeschange(seesection4.8)butVIAstaffwilldotheirbesttokeepyouinformed.
Sometimesadecisiontoprosecutemaybedelayeduntilmoreevidenceisavailable.
Ifadecisionistakennottoprosecute,ortheprosecutionisdroppedatalaterstage,thisisusuallytheendofthecriminalcase.Ifthishappens,theProcuratorFiscalwillcontactyoutolet
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youknowthatthecaseisnotgoingahead.Theyshouldofferyouameetingtoexplainthereasonsforthis.
Itispossibleinsomecircumstancestotakethecasetoacivilcourt(seesection4.19).Thisisdifficultandcanbecostly.Youshouldseekadvicefromasolicitoraboutthis.
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4.1 Attending courtYoucanattendallcourtproceedingsexceptwhentheaccused:
• firstappearsincourt(“appearsonpetition”)and
• appearsfor“fullcommittal”(ifremandedincustodyattheirfirstappearance).
BothofthesehearingsareheldintheSheriffCourtinprivate.Moreinformationaboutthisisgiveninsection4.2.
Theremaybetimeswhenyou,andothersattendingthecase,maybeaskedtoleavethecourt.Forexample,theJudgemayclearthecourt(exceptforlegalstaff )whentherearelegalargumentsthatneedtobediscussedinprivate,orachildwitnessisgivingevidence.
Youmayhearthingsduringthecourseofthetrialthataredifficulttolistento,orthatyoudisagreewithandwanttosaysomethingabout.Howeverdifficultyoumayfindthis,thepeoplewatchingthetrial(includingyou,yourfamilyandfriends,andthefamilyandfriendsoftheaccused)areexpectedtolistenquietlytoproceedings.Youcanleavethecourtroomifyoubecomedistressed.
Ifyouareawitnessinthecase,youwillnotbeabletositinthepublicgalleryofthecourtroomuntilafteryouhavegivenyourevidence.Youwillalsobeaskednottoattendthepreliminaryhearing(explainedinsection4.2)asthiscouldharmthecase.
TheJudgecanaskanyonetoleavethecourtiftheirbehaviourisdisruptive.Theycanalsorestrictmovementtoandfromthecourtroomduringtheir“chargetothejury”(seeparagraph4.5).
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4.2 What happens before the trial
The accused’s first appearance in court
Whenanaccusedpersonischargedwithmurderorculpablehomicidetheirfirstappearanceincourtwillbeinprivate.Thisiscalled“appearingonpetition”anditwilltakeplaceintheSheriffcourtintheareawherethecrimewascommitted.TheJudgeinthiscourtiscalledaSheriff.
Thepetitionsetsoutthechargesforwhichthereappearstobeevidenceandasksforthecourt’sapprovaltotakethenextstepsininvestigatingthecrime.Thesenextstepsinvolvegatheringalltheevidence,interviewingallwitnessesandarrangingforexpertwitnessestopreparereports.
Atthisfirstappearance,thesolicitorfortheaccusedwillusuallystatethattheaccused“makesnopleaordeclaration”.TheProcuratorFiscal(PF)willnormallythenasktheSheriffto“committheaccusedforfurtherexamination”andfortheaccusedtoberemandedincustody(keptinprisonorayoungoffendersinstitution).
Atthisstage,thecourtwillmakeadecisiononwhethertheaccusedisreleasedfromcustodyuntilthetrial.Thisiscalledbail.Youmaybesurprisedthatbailisconsideredbut,eveninthemostseriouscrimes,theaccusedhastherighttoaskforbail.TheSheriffwillhearfromthePFandfromtheaccused’ssolicitorbeforemakingadecisiononbail.TheSheriffhasadutytoreleasetheaccusedexceptwheretherearegoodreasonsfornotdoingso.Inreachingadecision,theSheriffwillalwaystakeintoconsiderationtheindividualcircumstancesofeachcaseTheseareexplainedmorefullyatsection4.3.
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Ifbailisgranted,theaccusedwillbereleased(onconditions,asexplainedatsection4.3)andtheirnextappearancewillbeatapreliminaryhearingintheHighCourt.Thepreliminaryhearingmusttakeplacewithin11monthsoftheirfirstappearanceincourt.Thetrialmusttakeplacewithin12monthsfromthedateofthefirstappearance.
Appearing for full committal
IfbailisnotgrantedatthefirstappearancebeforetheSheriff,theaccusedwillberemandedincustodyandmustbebroughtbacktocourtbetween7and11dayslatertobe“fullycommitted”fortrial.Thishearingisalsoinprivate.
Theaccusedcanapplyagainforbailevenifthiswasrefusedatthefirstappearance.Ifbailisrefused,theaccused’snextappearancewillbeatapreliminaryhearingintheHighCourt.Thismustbewithin110daysof“fullcommittal”.Thetrialmustbeginwithin140days.
Thetimelimitsof110days,140daysand12monthscanbeextendedbythecourt.
Ifasuspectisarrestedandyouhaveanyconcernsaboutthepossibilityofthembeinggrantedbail,youshouldimmediatelytellthepoliceFamilyLiaisonOfficer(FLO)orVictimInformationandAdvice(VIA)officer.Thiswillensurethatyourconcernsaretakenintoaccountwhenanydecisionismade.ThePFcanaskforspecialconditionstobeattachedtothebailorder,totakeaccountofyourconcerns.
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Preliminary hearing
Atthepreliminaryhearing,theprosecutionandthedefencewilltelltheJudgewhethertheyarereadyforthecasetogototrial.Iftheyare,thecourtwillsetadateforthetrial.Iftheyarenotready,thecasewillbe“continued”.Anotherdatewillthenbesettofindoutiftheprosecutionanddefencearereadytogototrial.Thetrialdatewillonlybesetoncebothpartiesarefullyprepared.
Preliminaryhearingsareheldinpublic.Butwitnesseswhomightbecalledtogiveevidenceduringthecasewillbeaskednottoattendasthiscouldprejudicethecase.
Theaccusedcanpleadguiltyatthepreliminaryhearing.IfVIAfindouttheaccusedintendstodothis,theywilldotheirbesttoletyouknow.Buttheaccusedmaydecideonthispleaatthelastminute.Theycanalsochangetheirmindaboutpleadingguiltyupuntilthetimethepleaismadeincourt.
4.3 Bail
Considering bail and bail conditions
Section4.2explainedthetimeswhenbailwillusuallybeconsidered.Itcan,however,beappliedforatdifferentstagesofthecase,evenifithasbeenrefusedearlier.VIAwillkeepyouinformedaboutthis.
ThissectionexplainswhatfactorswillbetakenintoaccountwhentheSheriffdecideswhetherbailshouldbegrantedornot.
TheSheriffwillconsiderthenatureofthechargeandanyotherfactorsraisedbythePF.Itisimportantthatyouraiseanyconcernsyoumayhaveaboutthepossibilityofanaccusedbeinggranted
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bailwiththeFLOorVIAofficerimmediately.ThisistoensurethatyourconcernsarepassedontothePFbeforeanydecisionsonbailaremade.Theaccusedwillbegrantedbailunlessthecourthasgoodreasontobelievethattheymay:
• notattendtheirtrialorearliercourtappearance
• commitanoffencewhileonbail
• interferewithwitnesses
• obstructthecourseofjustice,e.g.byabsconding(disappearing)
• behaveinamannerwhichcauses,orislikelytocause,alarmordistresstowitnesses.
Theseissuesreflectstandardconditionslinkedtobail.ThePFmayalsoaskforother,specialconditionstobeapplied–forexample,limitingwheretheaccusedcanliveorpreventingthemcomingnearyou,yourfamilyand/oryourhome.
Bail appeals
AlldecisionsaboutbailaretakenbytheJudge.Ifbailisgranted,theprosecutionmay,incertaincircumstances,appealagainstthedecision.Theaccusedmayalsoappealagainstarefusaltograntbail.Ifbailisstillrefusedonappeal,theaccusedcanaskforthedecisiontobereviewed,butonlywherethereisgoodreason.
VIAwilltellyouwhethertheaccusedhasbeengivenbail,andanyspecialconditionswhichapply.Iftheaccusedpersonisgrantedbailandcausesyouanyconcern, you should report this to the police and VIA immediately and keep a diary of any incidents.
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4.4 The High CourtMurderandculpablehomicidechargesarealwaysheardintheHighCourtbyaJudgeandjuryof15peoplechosenatrandom.
TheevidencefortheprosecutionispresentedbyanAdvocateDepute(whoisaseniorlawyer).Aseparateadvocate,called“Counsel”oraSolicitorAdvocate(asolicitorwhohasarightofaudienceintheHighCourt)willactforeachaccusedperson.Counselwillspeakonbehalfoftheaccusedatthetrialandbeforesentenceispassed.Whenincourt,theJudgeandadvocateswearwigsandgowns,andSolicitorAdvocatesweargownsbutnotwigs.
Theaccusedpersonwillstatetheirpleaof“guilty”or“notguilty”.
Iftheaccusedpersonpleadsguilty,thereisnoneedforanyonetogiveevidenceincourt.TheAdvocateDeputewilltelltheJudgethefactsofthecaseandtheJudgemaythenpasssentenceormaychoosetodosoatalaterdate.Ifsentencingisdeferred(tobepassedatalaterdate),VIAwillinformyouwhenandwherethiswillhappen.
Iftheaccusedpersonpleadsnotguilty,thenatrialwilltakeplaceandwitnesseswillbecalledtogiveevidence.
Asexplainedinsection4.2,a“preliminaryhearing”maybeheldbeforethetrialtodealwithissues(suchastheavailabilityofwitnesses)thatmightotherwisedelaythetrial.Youareentitledtoattendthepreliminaryhearingifyouwish.Witnessesareadvisednottoattendasthismayprejudicethecase.Thetrialshouldgoaheadonthedatefixedatthepreliminaryhearing.
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TheHighCourtsareinEdinburgh,GlasgowandAberdeen.HighCourtcasesarealsoheardinSheriffCourtbuildingsacrossScotland.Yourcasemaynotbeheardinthecourtclosesttoyou.PreliminaryhearingsareonlyheldinGlasgowandEdinburgh.
4.5 The trialBoththeprosecutionanddefencemaycallwitnessestogiveevidenceandquestionthem.Aswellaseyewitnessesandpoliceofficers,expertwitnessessuchasforensicscientistsmaybecalledtogiveevidence.Photographs,videosanddiagramsmaybeshowntothejury.
Afteralltheprosecution(Crown)evidencehasbeenpresented,theJudgewillconsiderifthereissufficientevidenceinlawtoallowthecasetocontinue.Ifthereis,thedefencewillthenpresenttheirevidence.Ifthereisnotenoughevidence,thecasewillbedismissedandthejurywillnotbeallowedtoconsideraverdict.
Theaccusedcanchoosewhetherornottogiveevidence.Iftheaccuseddoesgiveevidence,theycanbecross-examinedbytheAdvocateDepute.
Oncealltheevidencehasbeenpresented,thelawyerforeachsidegivesaspeechtothejurytosumuptheevidence.Itisuptotheprosecutiontoprovethecase“beyondreasonabledoubt”.TheJudgewillalsogiveaspeechtothejury(knownas‘thecharge’).Inthis,theJudgedirectsthejuryinthelawrelevanttothecaseandhis/herunderstandingofpointsofevidencetheymaywishtoconsiderwhendecidingonaverdict.
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4.6 If you are asked to be a witness
Incertaincasesyoumaybeaskedtobeawitnesstogiveevidenceatacriminaltrial.
Ifyouaretobeaprosecutionwitness,youmayberequiredtoattendapre-trialinterview(precognition)withtheProcuratorFiscaloraprecognitionofficerwhoworksforthePF.Thedefencelawyer–oraprecognitionagentworkingforthedefence–mayalsocontactyoutotakeastatementfromyou.Seesection3.8formoreinformationaboutthese“precognitioninvestigation”interviews.
Youshouldco-operatewithanyrequestforprecognition,whetherfromtheprosecutionorthedefence.ItisanessentialpartofthecriminalproceedingsandhelpsthePFunderstandtheevidenceyouareproviding.Youcanclaimreasonableexpenseswhenyouareaskedtoattendforprecognition.
Itmaybepossibleforarelativeorfriendtositwithyouduringaprecognitioninterviewtooffersupport.Ifyouwanttobeaccompanied,askthePFordefencelawyerifthisispossible.Youarenotallowedtobeaccompaniedbyanotherwitnessandyoursupportercannotparticipateintheinterview.
4.7 Support from the Witness ServiceTheWitnessService,runbyVictimSupportScotland(VSS),providesemotionalandpracticalsupporttoallvictimsandwitnessesattendingcourt,andtheirfamilies.
TheServiceismanagedbypaidstaffandprovidedbytrainedvolunteers.Theycantellyouaboutcourtproceduresbutcannotdiscussevidencewithyou.Theycanalsodiscussanyconcernsyou
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have.IftheWitnessServicecannotanswerallyourquestions,theywilltrytoputyouintouchwithsomeonewhocanhelp.
TheVictimInformationandAdviceservice(seesection1.3)willgiveyouinformationaboutyourlocalWitnessService.OryoucangetthenumberoftheServicefromtheVictimSupportScotlandnationalofficeon01316684486,theVSShelplineson08456039213or08453030900,thewebsite(www.victimsupportsco.org.uk)oryourlocalvictimsupportservice(numberinthelocalphonedirectoryunder“victimsupport”).
Ifyouareawitnessinthecase,youmayfindithelpfultobeshownacourtbeforeyouattendthetrialsothatyouknowwhattoexpect.Thismaybeparticularlyusefulifyouareawitnessatthetrial.VIAwillexplaininalettertoyouthattheywillreferyoutotheWitnessServiceforthis“courtfamiliarisationvisit”unlessyoutellthemyoudonotwantit.OryoucanasktheWitnessServiceaboutityourself.
4.8 What to expect from a court caseCriminalcasesarenearlyalwaysheldinpublic.But,asindicatedinsection4.1,theJudgemayordermembersofthepublictoleavethecourtroom.Thiscanincludeyouandyourfamily.
Ifyouarenotawitnessinthecaseyoucansitinthepublicgallery.Otherpeopleinthegallerymaybejournalists,thepublic,orthefamilyandfriendsoftheaccused.
If you are a witness you will not be able to discuss the case or what you can say with other witnesses, or listen to court proceedings, until you have given evidence.
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Afriendorrelativecansitwithyoubeforeyougiveevidence(aslongastheyhavenotbeenincourt,eitherlisteningtothetrialorgivingevidenceinthecase).
Iftheaccusedpleadsguiltybeforeorduringthetrial,effortswillbemadetoensureyouarepresentifyouwanttobeincourtwhenthishappens,evenifyouareawitnessinthecase.
Insomecases,theprosecutionlawyermay,afterdiscussionswiththedefence,consideracceptingapleaofguiltytoalessercharge(seesection3.7).Inmurderorculpablehomicidecases,thedecisiontoacceptapleatoalesseroramendedchargeisalwaystakenbytheLordAdvocateortheSolicitorGeneral.TheLordAdvocateisScotland’smostseniorprosecutor,withoverallresponsibilityfortheprosecutionofcrime.TheSolicitorGeneralassiststheLordAdvocateinheadingtheprosecutionservice.
Ifyoudoattendcourt,itmayhelptobeaccompaniedbysomeone.Thepolicewillbetheretogiveevidenceandtheycannotdiscussyourevidencewithyou.TheWitnessServiceandyourVIAofficercanhelpexplainwhatishappening.
Itmaybepossibletoarrangeseatinginthecourtroomsothatyoudonothavetositnearrelativesorfriendsoftheaccused.LettheWitnessServiceorVIAknowifyouareconcernedaboutthisandtheywilltrytoarrangethisforyou.
Itmayalsohelpyoutoknowinadvancethat:
• AVIAofficercanmeetyouwhenyouattendcourt.TheVIAHighCourtofficerwillkeepintouchwithyouduringthetrialtohelpyouwithanyquestionsorconcerns,andtoupdateyouonanykeystages
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• Courthearingsmaystartlate,becutshortorpostponed,ormovedtoanothercourt
• Youmayhavetowaitforsometimebeforegoingintocourttogiveyourevidence.Thismaybebecauseofthetimeittakesotherwitnessestogivetheirevidence
• Thedefencelawyermayaskyouquestionsaboutyourevidence.Thismightfeelprobingbutitisnotpersonal–itisanormalpartofthedefenceroleandisintendedtotesttheevidence
• EvidencepresentedincourtisforthebenefitoftheJudgeandjury.Sometimesyoumaynotbeabletoseeevidencebeingdiscussed(suchasdiagramsorvideos)
• Somecourtsaremodernandhavegoodfacilities,othersdon’t.Itmayhelptocheck,inadvance,wherethetoiletsandrefreshmentfacilitiesare,andfindoutifthereisaquietroomwhereyoucansit
• IfyoutellthecourtofficerorWitnessServicevolunteerswhoyouare,theycanofferhelp,informyouofanycourtchangesandshowyouwherethewitnessroomis
• Thefirsttimethatyouseetheaccusedmaybeincourt
• Youmayseetheaccusedanddefencewitnesseselsewhereinthecourtbuilding,forexamplewhererefreshmentsareserved.
Somepeoplewhoarewitnessesfindithelpfultovisitacourtbeforethetrialbeginstogetabetterideaofwhattoexpect.Section4.7explainshowthiscanbearranged.Evenifyoudonotwanttovisitthecourtbeforethetrial,itmightstillbeworthtalkingtoamemberoftheWitnessServicetodiscussanyconcernsyouhave.
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4.9 Witness intimidationItisacriminaloffencetotrytofrightenorintimidateawitness,juror,oranyonehelpingthepoliceinaninvestigation.
Ifyouareharassedorthreatenedinanywaybeforeorduringthetrial,tellthepersonwhocited(called)youasawitness,orthepolice,sotheycantaketheappropriateaction.Or,ifyoufeelthreatenedwhenatcourt,tellthesecuritystaffonduty.Ifyouareharassedorthreatenedafterthetrial,youshouldcontactthepolice.
4.10 Special measures for vulnerable or intimidated witnesses
Beingawitnessincourtisanewexperienceformostpeople.Asawitness,youmayfeelparticularlyanxiousforanumberofreasons–thecircumstancesofthecase,orbecauseofyourage,thekindofevidenceyouwillhavetogive,oryourhealth.Oryoumayfeelsodistressedatthethoughtofgivingevidencethatthismakesyoufeelvulnerable.
Ifyouarecited(called)asawitness,youcandiscussanyconcernsyouhaveaboutgivingevidencewiththepersonwhoaskedyoutobeawitness(sentthecitationletter).OryoucanspeakwithyourVictimInformationandAdvice(VIA)contact.Theycangiveyouinformationaboutthecourtprocessandsupportarrangementstohelpyoubebetterpreparedforgivingyourevidence.Theywillalsodiscussyourindividualcircumstanceswithyouandwhethertomakeanapplicationtothecourtforwhatarecalled“specialmeasures”.Thesearedifferentwaystohelpyougiveyourevidence.
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Specialmeasuresgenerallyapplyto:
• allchildwitnessesundertheageof16(under18inhumantraffickingcases)
• adultwitnesseswherethereisasignificantriskthatthequalityoftheirevidencewillbediminishedbecauseofmentaldisorder,orfearanddistressinconnectionwithgivingevidence.
Thestandardspecialmeasuresautomaticallyavailabletoachildwitnessare:
• ascreensothatyoucannotseetheaccused
• usingalivetelevisionlink(inanotherpartofthecourtbuilding)sothatyoucangiveyourevidenceawayfromthecourtroom
• havingasupportpersonalongwitheitheroftheabovestandardspecialmeasures.Theycankeepyoucompanybeforeyougiveyourevidenceandprovideareassuringpresenceinthecourtroomwhileyougiveyourevidence.Buttheycan’tdiscussyourevidencewithyou.
Specialmeasures(allowedatthediscretionofthecourt)forchildoradultvulnerablewitnessesare:
• usingapriorstatementasyourmainevidence.Thisisavideooraudiointerviewbetweenyouandthepolice,orawrittenstatementyougavebeforethetrial.Itwillbeplayedorreadoutincourtandyouwillbeaskedquestionsaboutwhatyousaid
• incertainlimitedcircumstances,havingyourevidencetakenbya“commissioner”(aJudgeorSheriff )appointedbythecourt.Thismeansgivingyourevidenceinthesamewayasyouwouldinatrialbutatadifferenttimeorplace.Theevidenceyougivewouldberecordedandplayedatthetrial.
• ascreen
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• usingalivetelevisionlinkeitherinanotherpartofthecourtbuildingorinasuitableplaceoutwiththecourtbuilding
• havingasupportperson
Youmaybeallowedtouseoneormorespecialmeasures.Ifyouare,itisimportantthatyouknowafewthings.
Youcanstillbecross-examinedaboutyourevidence–thatis,askedquestionsbythedefencelawyer–evenifyouuseaspecialmeasure.
Ifyougiveevidenceusingascreeninthecourtroom,thiswillmeanthatyoucannotseetheaccused,buttheywillbeabletoseeandhearyouonaTVmonitorwhileyougiveyourevidence.TheaccusedwillalsobeabletoseeandhearyouonthesamesortofmonitorifyougiveevidencebyaliveTVlink.
Ifyougiveyourevidencebypriorstatement,youwillprobablystillhavetoattendthetrial(beatcourtorgiveyourevidenceorusealiveTVlink).Thatisunlessyourevidenceisagreedbytheprosecutionanddefencelawyersinadvance.
Ifyourevidenceistakenbyacommissioner,yourevidenceisvisuallyrecorded(forexamplebyDVD)andtheaccusedwillbeabletoseeandhearyourevidenceasitisbeingtaken.Theywillnotnormallybeintheroomwhereyourevidenceisbeingtakenunlessthecourthasagreedthattheycanbe.
Applicationsaremadetothecourtinadvanceofthehearinginwhichyouareduetogiveevidence.Theapplicationsmayormaynotbeapproved,andyouwillbetoldwhatthecourthasdecidedbythepersonwhomadetheapplicationonyourbehalf.
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Ifyouhaveanyquestions,speaktothepersonwhosentyouthecitation(letter)tobeawitnessortoVIA.Theywillbeabletotellyouhowthesemeasuresmightapplytoyou.Theycanletyouhaveabookletwhichexplainsspecialmeasuresinmoredetail.TheymayalsoshowyouaCD-ROMaboutgoingtocourt,whoyouarelikelytomeetthereandwhattheydo,andhowthespecialmeasureswork.Youcanalsofindoutmoreaboutbeingawitnessfromwww.witnessesinscotland.comandwww.crownoffice.gov.uk/Witnesses/Being-Witness-Court.
4.11 Expenses to attend courtYouareentitledtoexpensesifyouarecitedtoattendcourtasawitness.BereavednearestrelativesarealsoentitledtoexpenseswhenrequiredbytheCrowntoprovideaprecognition(seesection3.8),orwhenrequestedbytheProcuratorFiscalorVIAtoattendameetingattheirpremises.
TheProcuratorFiscalServicewillrefundreasonabletravelexpenses,lossofearnings,childcareexpensesandthecostofacarer.Yourwitnesscitationwillexplainwhatyouareentitledtoclaim.
Bereavedrelativeswhoarenotcitedaswitnessescanalsogethelpwithexpensesincurredwhenattendingcourt.Thisincludesreasonabletravel,accommodationandcarerand/orchild-mindingexpenses.Itdoesnotincludelossofearnings.Thissupportisnormallylimitedto3individualsperfamily.VIAwillbeabletoprovidemoredetails.
4.12 VerdictsTheaccusedmaybefoundguiltyornot guilty.Alternatively,thejurymayreacha“not proven”verdictwhichisalsoaverdictofacquittal.
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Fortheaccusedtobefoundguiltyofacharge,amajorityofthejury(atleast8)mustchoosethisverdict.
Forverdictsofnotguiltyandnotproven,amajority(atleast8),mustchoosethisverdict.Theseverdictshavethesameeffectandmeanthattheaccusedisfreetogo.Forinformationaboutdoublejeopardy,seesection4.17.
Itisworthnotingthat:
• Ifsomeoneisfoundguiltyofmurder,thecourtmustimposeasentenceoflifeimprisonment.TheJudgehastostatetheminimumperiodtobeservedbeforethepersoncanapplyforparole(earlyreleasefromaprisonsentence).Thisminimumperiodiscalledthe“punishmentpart”.
• Ifsomeoneisfoundguiltyofculpablehomicide,themaximumpenaltyopentothecourtislifeimprisonment.Butthecourtrarelyimposesthemaximumsentenceandmayimposeamuchlowerpenalty.
• Sometimescourtsfindtheaccusednotguiltyofaseriouschargebutguiltyofalessercharge,suchasassault.
Ifyouareunsureaboutanythingthathappenedincourt,VIAmaybeabletoexplain.
4.13 SentencingBeforesentenceispassed,CounselfortheaccusedwilladvisetheJudgeaboutanyfactorswhichtheythinkmightreducethesentence.Thisiscalleda“pleainmitigation”.SometimestheSheriffasksforbackgroundinformationabouttheguiltypersonbeforedecidingonthesentence.ItistheJudgealonewhodecideswhatthesentenceshouldbe–theprosecutorisnotinvolvedinsentencing.
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Anaccusedwhoisfoundguiltyofmurderwillnormallybekeptincustodyuntilthesentenceispassed.ThisisadecisionfortheJudge.Sentencingnormallyhappenswithin4weeksoftheendofthetrial.
Ifanaccusedpleadsguiltytoanoffence,theJudgeisrequiredbylawtoconsiderpassingalessersentencethanmightotherwisehavebeenthecase(youmayhearthisreferredtoasasentencediscount).TheJudgewillconsiderallofthecircumstancesofanindividualcasetoensureoffendersreceiveanappropriatesentencefortheiroffendingbehaviour.TheJudgedecideshowmuch,ifany,ofthesentencewillbediscounted.TheSheriffshouldstateincourthowmuchofthesentencehasbeendiscounted.
Ifyoudonotunderstandorareunhappyaboutthesentencepassed,VIAortheProcuratorFiscalmaybeabletoexplainmoreaboutthis.Theywillalsoadviseyouaboutanyappealbytheprosecutor(calledaCrownAppeal–seesection4.17).
4.14 Mentally disordered offenders
What happens if the offender is mentally ill?
Mentallydisorderedoffendersarepeople,who,asaresultofmentalillness,havebeenfoundbythecourttohavediminishedresponsibility,orhavebeenfoundnotguiltyonaccountofmentalillnessorfoundtobeunfitfortrial.Intheseinstances,thecourtcanorderapersontobedetainedinhospitalfortreatment.Forrestrictedpatients(peoplethecourtconsideraseriousrisktothepublic),thisdetentionwillbe“withoutlimitoftime”.
Ifaprisonerismovedfromprisontoasecurepsychiatrichospitalduringtheirsentence,theoriginalsentencestillstands.Whilstin
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hospital,theyaresubjecttothesamearrangementsasrestrictedpatients.
Restrictedpatientscannotbegivenleaveofabsence(suspensionofdetention)orbetransferredwithoutGovernment(ScottishMinisters’)consent.SuchrecommendationsaremadetoScottishMinistersbythepatient’sResponsibleMedicalOfficerandinvolveafullriskassessmentbytheclinicalteam.Thisincludesafullevaluationofpotentialrisktothepublic.Familyandvictimconsiderationsarealsotakenintoaccount.
AllrestrictedpatientsaresubjecttotheMultiAgencyPublicProtectionArrangements(MAPPA)whichistheframeworkthatjoinsuptheagencieswhoestablisharrangementsfortheassessmentandmanagementofrisksposedbyoffenders.ThefundamentalpurposeofMAPPA,ispublicsafetyandthereductionofseriousharm.AMAPPAreferralmustalsobemadebeforeanyconsiderationofunescortedleaveandatotherkeystagesinarestrictedpatient’srehabilitation.
DecisionsondischargeofrestrictedpatientsaremadebytheMentalHealthTribunalforScotland.TribunalpanelswhichconsiderrestrictedpatientcasesareconvenedbyaSheriff(orthePresidentoftheTribunal)andhaveamedicallyqualifiedandageneralmember.TheMentalHealthTribunalforScotlandmaygiveanypersonitconsiderstohaveaninterestinacasetheopportunitytomakerepresentations(eitherorallyorinwriting)andtoleadandproduceevidence.TheTribunaldecidesinanycasewhosuchapersonmightbe.IfyouwishtomakerepresentationspleasecontacttheScottishGovernmentattheaddressbelowandtheywillbringyourinteresttotheattentionoftheTribunal.
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutrestrictedpatients,orhaveviewsorconcernsyouwouldliketobringtoScottishMinisters’attention
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inrelationtoarestrictedpatient,youcancontactTheRestrictedPatientTeamLeaderattheScottishGovernment,MentalHealthandProtectionofRightsDivision,Room2N.02,StAndrew’sHouse,EdinburghEH13DG(telephone01312442510).
Disclosure of Information
Section5.1explainshowyoucanregistertoreceiveinformationundertheVictimNotificationSchemeaboutanoffenderservingaprisonsentence.TheScottishGovernmenthasconsideredtheresponsestotheirconsultationontheintroductionofaVictimsNotificationsSchemeforvictimsofMentallyDisorderedOffendersandintendstobringforwarddraftproposalsonthismatterinduecourse
4.15 Victim statementsVictimsorrelativesaffectedbyseriouscrimes(includingmurderorculpablehomicide)canmakeawrittenstatementthattellsthecourthowthecrimeaffectedthem–physically,emotionallyandfinancially.
Victimstatementswillnormallybegiventothecourtiftheaccusedpleadsguilty,orisfoundguiltyafteratrialandwillbeconsideredbeforetheaccusedissentenced.Acopyofanyvictimstatementwillbegiventothedefenceatthesametime.TheJudgemustconsideryourvictimstatementanddecidewhatweightshouldbegiventoit.
Thestatementwillnotbereadoutincourtorreleasedtothepress.
VIAwillsendyouaninformationpackaboutvictimstatements.Thisincludesavictimstatementformandcontactnumbersforsupportagencieswhocangiveyouhelporadviceaboutmaking
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thestatement.Itwillalsoexplainwhatthestatementcan(andcannot)coverandhowitwillbeused.
Youdonothavetomakeavictimstatement.Ifyouchoosenotto,informationabouttheimpactofthecrimecanstillbebroughtoutduringtheprosecutioncase.
4.16 Appeals by a convicted personFollowingacriminalcase,aconvictedpersonmayappealagainsttheirconvictionorsentence.Theycanalsoapplyforbailandmaybereleasedwhilewaitingfortheappeal(thisiscalled“interimliberation”).
Anaccusedfoundguiltyattrialcanappealagainsttheconvictionorsentenceorboth.Thecourtmayrefusetheappealormayallowtheappealinfullorpart.Iftheappealisallowedinfull,thecourtmayorderaretrialormayacquittheaccused.
Iftheaccusedpleadguiltytheycanappealagainstthesentence.AllappealsareheardbyJudgesintheAppealCourtwhichisbasedinEdinburgh.Thecourtisabletoimposeahigherorlowersentence,ormayconfirmtheoriginalsentence.
VIAwilltellyouifthereisanappealandhowitprogresses.Inparticular,theywilltellyou:
• iftheoffenderisgrantedbailbeforetheappeal
• thedateoftheappealand
• theoutcomeoftheappeal.
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4.17 Appeals by the prosecutionAsindicatedinsection4.13,theCrownhasalimitedrightofappealagainstsentence,butonlywhereasentenceis“undulylenient”.Becauseofthis,suchappealsarerare.Ifanappealislodged,youwillbekeptinformedofprogress.
IftheHighCourtJudgedecidesthatthereisinsufficientevidencetoconvicttheaccused,thentheCrownmayappealthisdecision.Ifsuchanappealislodged,youwillbekeptinformedoftheprogress.
Theprosecutioncannotappealagainstthedecisionofthejurytoreturna“notguilty”ora“notproven”verdict.
Inmostcases,theruleagainst“doublejeopardy”meansthatanacquittedpersoncannotberetried.However,therearesomestrictlylimitedcircumstanceswhereitmaybepossibleforanewtrialtooccur,forexampleifthereisnewevidencewhich,haditbeenavailablebefore,wouldhavebeenhighlylikelytohaveledtoaconviction.
Allappealsunder“solemnprocedure”(whereatrialtakesplacewithaJudgeandjury)mustbelodged14daysafteracourt’sdecision,unlessthecourtgivespermissionforthistimelimittobeextended.ThetimelimitfortheCrownlodginganappealagainstanundulylenientsentenceis4weeks.VIAwillkeepyouinformedwhetherornotanappealhasbeenlodgedandabouttheprogressofanyappeal.
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4.18 Bringing a private prosecutionIncertaincircumstancesanindividualmayseektoprosecuteanotherpersonforacriminaloffence.Thisiscalledaprivateprosecution.TobringaprivateprosecutionyoumusthavetheLordAdvocate’sconsent.Thisprocessisverycostlyandyoucannotclaimlegalaid.Itisthereforeveryrare.
4.19 Civil actionIfyouaredissatisfiedwithanacquittalverdict(seesection4.12),youcanraiseacivilactionagainsttheacquittedperson.Acivilactionisbasedonadifferentlevelofproof–“onthebalanceofprobabilities”(adecisioninacriminalcaseisbasedon“beyondreasonabledoubt”).
Raisingacivilactioncanbeaverylongandexpensiveprocess.Thereisnoguaranteethatyouwillbegrantedlegalaid.Beforeproceedingwithacivilaction,youshouldseekadvicefromasolicitor.
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5.1 The Victim Notification Scheme
What is the Victim Notification Scheme?
Iftheoffenderhasbeensentencedto18monthsormoreinprison,youcanchoosewhetherornotyouwanttoregisterwiththeVictimNotificationScheme.
Theschemehastwopartsandyoucanopttoreceiveinformationundereitherorbothparts.Thefirstpartentitlesyoutoinformationabout:
• whentheoffenderistobereleased
• thedateoftheirdeath,iftheydiebeforebeingreleased
• iftheyaretransferredtoaplaceoutwithScotland
• theireligibilityfortemporaryrelease(forexample,fortrainingandrehabilitationprogrammesorhomeleaveinpreparationforrelease)
• themescapingorabscondingfromprison
• theirreturntoprison,ifthereturnrelatestotheoffencewhichyouareregistered.
Part2oftheschemeentitlesyoutoinformationabouttheoffenderbeingconsideredforparoleorreleaseonHomeDetentionCurfew(HDC,sometimesknownas“tagging”),seesection5.3formoreaboutconsiderationforrelease:
• whentheParoleBoardforScotlandisduetoconsiderthecaseaffectingyou,youwillbegiventhechancetosendwrittencommentstotheBoard
• whentheScottishPrisonService(SPS)isconsideringaprisoner’sreleaseonHDC,youwillbegiventhechancetosendwrittencommentstotheSPS
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• youwillbetoldwhethertheBoardrecommendsordirectsthereleaseoftheoffender
• youwillbetoldwhetheranyconditionshavebeenattachedtothelicencethatrelatetoyouoryourfamily(seesection5.3).
How do I register for the scheme?
VIAwillsendyouabookletabouttheschemeandaformtoregisterforit.Whenyouhavefilledtheformin,yousenditontotheScottishPrisonService(SPS)whowillregisteryourdetails.Whentheoffenderisduetobereleased,SPSwillsendalettertellingyouthedateofrelease.
If,afterregisteringfortheVictimNotificationScheme,youdecidetooptoutoftheschemeyoushouldwritetotheScottishPrisonServicetoletthemknow.Youshouldalsotellthemifyouchangeaddress.VIAwillsendyouformsforthisatthesametimeastheysendouttheformtoregisterforthescheme.
Ifyoudidn’toriginallyjointheschemebutthendecideyouwouldliketoregister,youcandothisatanytimeuntiltheoffenderreachesthepointinthesentencewhentheyareduetobereleased.Iftheoffenderisjustabouttobereleased,orhasalreadybeenreleased,thenitwillnotbepossibleforyoutojointhescheme.
YoucanfindoutmoreabouttheVictimNotificationSchemefromtheScottishPrisonService(www.sps.gov.uk).Theycanbecontactedon01312448670,[email protected].
What will the offender know?
ThePrisonServicedoesnottelltheoffenderthatyouareonthescheme.ButifyousendwrittencommentstotheParoleBoard,theoffenderislikelytoseethem.Thisisbecauseoffendersare
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entitledtoseealloftheinformationthattheParoleBoardusestomaketheirdecision.Youdonothavetostateanypersonaldetails–likeyouraddressorcontactdetails–ontheformyousendtotheBoard.
AlthoughtheScottishPrisonServicewillmakeeveryefforttomaintainyouranonymity,theoffenderwillbemadeawareofyourcommentsiftheyhaveabearingonthedecisionaboutwhethertoreleasethemoronthespecificconditionsattachedtotheprisoner’slicence.
Justbecauseyouhaveregisteredwiththeschemedoesn’tmeanthatyouhavetosendwrittencommentstotheBoard(ortotheScottishPrisonServiceifanoffenderisbeingconsideredforreleaseonHDC).Evenifyoudecidenottosendinwrittencomments,youwillstillreceiveinformationaboutwhattheParoleBoard(ortheScottishPrisonServiceaboutreleasesonHDC)hasdecided.
5.2 How long will the offender be in prison?Anaccusedwhoisconvictedofmurderwillbesentencedtolifeimprisonment.Someonewhoisconvictedofculpablehomicidemaybesentencedtoaspecifiedperiodofimprisonment(adeterminatesentence)ortolifeimprisonment.
Whenpassingalifesentence,thecourtwillsayhowlongtheoffendermustspendincustody(knownasthe“punishmentpart”).Alifesentenceprisonermustspendatleastthatperiodinprisonbeforetheycanbeconsideredforreleaseonlifelicence(thistermisexplainedinsection5.3).
Homicideincludesarangeofoffencesincludingmurder,deathbydangerousdriving,deathbycarelessdrivingandculpable
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homicide.Incasesofhomicidewhicharenotmurdersuchasdeathbydangerousdrivingorculpablehomicide,thecourthasdiscretiontodecideinthespecificcircumstancesofacasetodecidewhatthesentenceshouldbe.Atpresentanoffendersentencedto4yearsormorewillbeconsideredbytheParoleBoardforScotlandforreleaseonlicenceafterservingonehalfoftheirsentence.Beingconsideredforreleasethenorlaterdoesnotmeanitwillhappenautomatically.Buttheoffenderwillbereleasedonlicenceafterservingtwo-thirdsoftheirsentence.
5.3 Consideration for releaseTheParoleBoardforScotlandisresponsiblefordeterminingwhenalifesentenceprisoneroronesentencedto4yearsormorewillbereleasedonlicence.TheBoardmustbesatisfiedthattheoffendernolongerpresentsanunacceptablerisktopublicsafety.Italsodecidestheconditionsthatwillapplytotherelease.
Ifanoffenderbreachesanyoftheirlicenceconditions,includingre-offending,theymayhavetheirlicencetakenawayandbereturnedtoprison.Thecourtcanalsoorderareturntoprisoniftheoffendercommitsanotherimprisonableoffencebeforethedatetheywouldhaveservedtheoriginalsentenceinfull.
HomeDetentionCurfew(HDC)allowsoffenderstobereleasedbetween2weeksand6monthsbeforethedateonwhichtheywouldotherwiseleaveprison.Offendersservinglongerthan4yearsinprisonwillnotbereleasedonHDCunlesstheyhavealreadybeenapprovedforparole.Thismeansthattheyareunlikelytobereleasedmorethan6weeksbeforetheywereduetobereleasedonparole.
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TheScottishPrisonServicewillcarryoutariskassessmentofanoffenderbeforetheyareallowedtobereleasedonHDC.OffendersreleasedonHDCmuststaywithinaspecificaddressforaround12hourseverynight.Thisisknownasacurfewconditionandismonitoredremotelybyelectronicequipment(a“tag”).
OffendersreleasedonHDCwillcontinuetoservetheirsentenceduringtheHDCperiodandcanberecalledtoprisoniftheydon’tcomplywiththeconditions.
5.4 Concerns after the prisoner has been released
Thepoliceareautomaticallytoldwhenaprisoner,whohasbeensentencedto4yearsormore,isreleasedfromprison.Ifyouareworriedaboutyoursafety,youshouldcontactthepolice.Theywillthendecidewhataction,ifany,totake.Ifthreatshavebeenmadeagainstyou,oryouhavebeenharassedorintimidatedbytheperson,youmayalsoapplytothecivilcourtsforaninterdicttopreventthemfromcomingnearyouoryourhomeaftertheyleaveprison.Asolicitorwillbeabletogiveyouadviceonthis.
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Whenalovedonediessuddenly,itcanbedifficulttocopewiththepracticalmattersyouwillneedtoaddress.Thissectioncoverssomeofthosepracticalmattersandgivesdetailsofagenciesthatyouarelikelytoneedtocontact.
VictimSupportScotlandofferspracticalsupportandcanhelppeopletodealwiththevariousdemandsandpressuresfollowingadeath.Theycanbecontactedon01316684486(nationaloffice)orthehelplineson08456039213or08453030900.Callsarechargedatthelocalrate.
6.1 How to register a deathAnydeathwhichoccursinScotlandshouldberegisteredwithin 8 days.
ThedeathcanberegisteredinanyregistrationdistrictinScotland.Youcangettheaddressofthelocalregistrarfromthefuneraldirectorortelephonebook(under“RegistrationofBirths,DeathsandMarriages”).Thefuneraldirectororregistrarwillalsobeabletotellyouwhatdocumentswillbeneededtoregisterthedeath.
6.2 Murder, manslaughter and suspicious deaths committed in other countries
If a close friend or relative dies abroad and you are in the UK
Ifaclosefriendorrelativehasbeenkilledabroad,thiscreatesextradifficulties.Inthesecircumstances,theBritishConsulistheretohelpandguideyou.OncenotifiedofthedeathofaBritishnational,consularstaffwillpassthedetailstothepoliceintheUKwhowilltrytocontactrelativesassoonaspossible.Ifthepersonwasmurdered,orthedeathisunexplainedorsuspicious,youmay
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beallocatedapoliceFamilyLiaisonOfficer(seesection1.2)whowillliaisewiththeForeignandCommonwealthOffice(FCO).ThisistheUKGovernmentdepartment,basedinLondon,thatdealswithBritishinterestsabroad.
ConsularstaffattheFCOinLondonwillkeepintouchwithyouandtheConsulateabroaduntilburialorcremationoverseas,oruntilyourlovedonehasbeenbroughtbacktotheUK.TheywilllettheConsulateoverseasknowyourwishesconcerningfuneralarrangementsanddotheirbesttoensurethesearecarriedout.
Ifthepersonwhodiedwasknowntobesufferingfromaninfectiouscondition,forexample,thehepatitisorHIVviruses,youshouldtellConsularstaff.
Theremaybeadelaybeforeyoucanbringthepersonhomeifthereisanoverseasinquestandpostmortem.Withveryfewexceptions,neitherthepoliceinScotlandnortheProcuratorFiscal(PF)haveanyauthoritytoinvestigatedeathsabroad.ThepoliceinScotlandmaybeaskedtocarryoutenquiriesintheUKtoassisttheinvestigatingpolice.
Youshouldregisterthedeathaccordingtothelocalregulationsinthecountryconcernedandobtainadeathcertificate.YoumaybeabletoregisterthedeathwiththeBritishConsulinthatcountryforafee.However,youarenotobligedtodothis.
IfyoudoregisterthedeathwiththeBritishConsul,arecordofthedeathwillbesenttoScotland.YouwillthenbeabletogetacopyfromtheNationalRecordsofScotland.TheremaybeadelayinobtainingthissincedetailsarereturnedfromBritishConsulsattheendofeachyearandrecordsamendedinMarch/Aprilofthefollowingyear.
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Ifthedeathisregisteredonlywiththelocalauthoritiesinthecountrywherethepersondied,therewillbenorecordheldintheUnitedKingdom.
Moreinformationaboutregisteringadeathisavailableat:www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/births-deaths-marriages-civil/registering-a-death
How can British Consular staff help?
BritishConsularstaffcankeepthenext-of-kininformed.Theirjobistoensureyoudonotfeelyouareonyourown.Theyhaveseveralhelpfulguidesavailableatwww.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas
Theycanadviseonthecostoflocalburialorcremation,andtellyouhowtoarrangeforthereturntotheUKofthedeceasedpersonandtheirpersonalproperty.Consularstaffcannotpayorhelpwiththeseexpenses.Youwouldneedtocheckifcostscouldbecoveredbyatravelinsurancepolicy.
Consularstaffcanprovidealistoflocalfuneraldirectorsinthecountrywherethedeathtookplace.IfanEnglishspeakingfirmisnotavailable,Consulatestaffwillhelpyouwiththearrangements.
Wherethereisevidenceofsuspiciouscircumstances,Consularstaffcansuggestthebestwaytoraiseconcernswiththelocalauthorities.Theycannotinvestigatedeathsthemselves,butwillconsidermakingrepresentationstothelocalauthoritiesifthereareconcernsthattheinvestigationisnotbeingcarriedoutinlinewithlocalprocedures.
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Bringing the person who has died back to the UK
Ifyoudecidetobringyourlovedonebackfromabroad,andwishacremationtotakeplace,youmustmakeacremationapplicationtothePublicHealthTeamoftheScottishGovernment.Youwillbeabletogetadviceonthisfromafuneraldirector,whowillmakethesearrangementsonyourbehalf.
UnlessthedeathfallsintooneoftherareexceptionswherethePFcancarryoutinvestigations(seeabove)therewillbenoneedforinvestigationbythePFwhenthebodyisreturnedtoScotland.Ifinvestigationsarenecessary,thesemayincludeapostmortemexamination(seesection2.5)andthiscouldaffectthePF’sdecisiontoallowcremation.
Support services
ManycountrieshaveserviceslikeVictimSupportwhichcanprovidehelp.IfyouwouldliketocontactavictimsupportserviceinanotherpartofEurope,detailscanbefoundat:www.victimsupporteurope.eu.Alternatively,youmaywishtocontactVictimSupportScotland’sNationalOfficeandtheywilltryandfindoutwhat,ifany,serviceexistsinanothercountry.Theirphonenumberis01316684486.Somecountriesalsohavetheirownstatecompensationschemes.
SupportAfterMurderandManslaughterAbroad(SAMMAbroad)isaregisteredcharitythathelpspeopleintheUKwhoselovedonesarethevictimsofmurderormanslaughterabroad.Moredetailsareavailableatwww.sammabroad.orgortheircontacttelephonenumberis08451232384.
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6.3 Claiming criminal injuries compensation
Eligibility and awards
Ifyouaretherelativeordependantofsomeonewhohasdiedasaresultofacriminalinjury,youmaybeeligibletoreceivecompensationundertheCriminalInjuriesCompensationScheme.TheCriminalInjuriesCompensationAuthority(CICA)fatalinjuryawardisnotdesignedtocompensateforthelossoflife.Theawardisintendedasanexpressionofpublicsympathy.
Asindicatedinsection2.7,theCICAmaybeabletorefundfuneralexpensesandmakepaymentstocompensateforthelossoffinancialsupportduetothevictim’sdeath.Youshouldkeepallreceiptsasarefundcanonlybemadeifyouprovidevalidreceiptswithyourclaim.
Afinaldecisiononyourclaimcansometimestakeayearormore,dependingonhowcomplexyourcaseisandwhichotherorganisationstheCICAhavetocontact.
Tocheckwhetheryouareeligibletoapplyforanawardeitherphone03000033601orvisitwww.gov.ukandsearch“criminalinjuriescompensation”.
Differentpeoplequalifyfordifferenttypesofpayment.Paymentswilldependonyourrelationshipwiththevictimandwhetheryouwerefinanciallydependentonthem.Ifyouwereawitnesstothecrime,youmayalsoqualifyforapayment.
Youwillonlybegivencompensationifyoumeettherequirementsofthescheme.TheCICAmayreduceorrefuseanawardonthegroundsofyour,orthevictim’s,conductorconvictions.
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CICAcurrentlydoesnotcoverhomicidesabroad.
Information and application
Applicationsundertheschemeshouldnormallybemadewithin2yearsoftheincidentforwhichtheclaimismade.Thistimelimitmaybesetasideinexceptionalcircumstances.
Youcanobtainmoredetails,alongwithanapplicationformanddetailsofthedocumentsyouneed,bycontactingtheCICAon03000033601.
Furtherinformationcanalsobefoundontheirwebsiteat:www.gov.uk
YourlocalVictimSupportservicecanofferyouhelpandinformationonmakingandcompletinganapplicationunderthescheme.YoucanfindtheaddressofyourlocalVictimSupportserviceinthetelephonebook,oryoucanringthenationalofficeon01316684486orthehelplineson08456039213or08453030900.Callsarechargedatthelocalrate.
6.4 Legal aidIfyouhavealowincome,youmaybeeligibleforlegaladviceonmattersarisingfromthecrime.Youmaybeaskedtopayacontributiontowardsthecostofthislegalaidbutyoumaybeabletopaythisininstalmentsoverseveralmonths.Yoursolicitorcanadvisewhetheryouwillqualifyforlegalaidandwhatthearrangementsareforclaimingit.
Ifyouraiseacourtactionwiththehelpofpublicfundingandyourcaseissuccessful,youwillbeaskedtoputsomeorallof
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themoneyyoureceivetowardsyoursolicitor’sbill.Thisiscalled“clawback”.Makesurethatyoursolicitorexplainsitbeforeyougoaheadwithyourcase.
6.5 BenefitsManypeoplehavefinancialworriesafterbereavement,soyoumightwanttocheckifyouareentitledtoanywelfarebenefits.
TheRegistrar(whoregistersthedeath)willgiveyouacertificatetofillinandreturntotheDepartmentforWorkandPensions.YoushouldreadtheinformationonthecertificateregardingtheDWPBereavementServiceandcallthemtonotifythemofthedeath.Inaddition,theycancompleteabenefitscheckofwhatyoumaybeeligiblefor,takeyourclaimforcertainbenefitsoverthephoneandadvisewhotocontacttoclaimothers.
• Phone08456060265then:
• Selecttheoption“ifyouarecallingtotellusaboutsomeonewhohasdied,orcheckwhathelpmaybeavailablefollowingabereavement”.
IfyoucalltheDWPBereavementServicetoreportthedeath,youdonothavetosendintheBD8form.KeeptheBD8formandanoteofanyreferencenumbersasyoumayneedthemlateron.YoushouldalsolettheTaxOfficeknowaboutyourchangeincircumstances.
YoucanalsoreceiveadvicefromyourlocalCitizensAdviceBureau(yourlocalbranchwillalsobelistedinthetelephonedirectory).
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6.6 WillsAWillappointssomeone(knownastheexecutor)toadministeradeadperson’sestate(everythingtheyowned).
Italsogivesinstructionsonhowpossessionsandmoneyshouldbedistributed.
YouwillneedtofindoutifthepersonmadeaWill.CopiesofWillsmaybeheldbyabankorasolicitor.Ifyouareindoubt,contactasolicitor.
Willscanbecomplicated.SometimesthereisnoWill.WhetherornotthereisaWill,asolicitorwillbeabletogiveyouadviceonwhatyouneedtodo.
Ifyoudonothaveasolicitor,theLawSocietyofScotlandcangiveyoudetailsofsolicitorsinyourarea.TheLawSocietyistheprofessionalbodytowhichallsolicitorsinScotlandbelong.Youcancontactthemon01312267411(textphone01314768359)orvisittheirwebsiteatwww.lawscot.org.uk.
Sortingouttheaffairsofsomeonewhohasdiedcanbecomplexanddistressing.Itmaytakemanymonthsoryears.Friendsandfamilycanbesupportiveatthistime–theymaybeabletohelpinallsortsofways.
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6.7 Who do you need to tell about the death?Dependingonthecircumstances,youmayalsoneedtocontactsomeotherorganisationsandpeople.Thesecouldinclude:
• GP
• Anyhospitalthepersonwasattending
• Otherhealthprofessionals(forexample,dentist,optician)
• Employer
• Personaloroccupationalpensionschemes
• Insurancecompany
• Bankand/orbuildingsociety
• Mortgageproviderorhousingassociation
• Thelocalcouncilhousingdepartmentifthepersonwaslivinginacouncilhouse
• ThelocalcouncilHousingBenefit/CouncilTaxBenefitsectionifthepersonwasgettingHousingBenefitand/orCouncilTaxBenefit(seesection6.5aboutwhototellaboutotherbenefits)
• Achildoryoungperson’steacher,orcollegeoruniversityifaparent,brother,sister,grandparentorclosefriendhasdied
• DVLA(ifthepersonhadadrivinglicence,youwillneedtoreturnit)
• ThePassportOffice(ifthepersonhadapassport,youwillneedtoreturnit)
• Acarinsurancecompany(ifyouareinsuredtodrivethecarundertheperson’sname,youwillceasetobelegallyinsured)
• Gas,electricityandtelephonesuppliers
• ThePostOfficesothattheycanredirectthemailoftheperson
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• ChildBenefitCentreifchildbenefitwasbeingreceived
• BenefitDeliveryCentreifbenefitswerebeingreceived
• ThetaxofficeatHMRevenue&Customs.
Formoredetailedinformationyoumayfindtheleaflet“WhattodoafteradeathinScotland”useful.ItisavailablefromtheScottishGovernmentatwww.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/law/damages/successionortelephone01312443581.AScottishGovernmenttextphonefacilityisavailableat01312441829
6.8 Stopping unwanted mailItcanbeupsettingtoreceivedirectmailorsalescallsforsomeonewhohasdied.Onewaytoreducethechanceofreceivingjunkmailistocontactthe“BereavementRegister”bycalling08000821230orloggingontoitswebsiteatwww.the-bereavement-register.org.uk.Theprocessofregisteringisstraightforwardandfree.
Youcanalsoreducethechanceofunwantedtelephonesalescalls,mailandfaxesbyregisteringfreewiththefollowing:
• TelephonePreferenceService(08450700707orwww.tpsonline.org.uk)
• MailingPreferenceService(08457034599orwww.mpsonline.org.uk)
• FaxPreferenceService(08450700702orwww.fpsonline.org.uk).
Youhavetore-registerwiththeseserviceseveryfewyears.
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6.9 DebtsYoumayhaveworriesaboutdebt,oraboutmanagingyourfinances,especiallyifyouarenotusedtodealingwithmoneyandbillsonyourown.
Youmayneedtocontactsomeorganisationstoestablishresponsibilityforoutstandingbalances.Whotheseorganisationsarewilldependonyourownfinancialarrangementsorthoseofthedeceasedperson.
Ifyouhaveanymoneyworries,getintouchwithyourlocalCitizensAdviceBureau.Theyprovideadvicebutcannotthemselvesofferyoufinancialsupport.Youwillfindtheirtelephonenumberinyourlocaldirectory.
Foradviceondebt,calltheNationalDebtlinefreeon08088084000orwww.nationaldebtline.co.uk/scotland/.
6.10 If you have concerns about the criminal justice system
Thispageexplainshowtomakeacommentorcomplainttotheauthoritiesaboutthecriminaljusticesystem.
The police
IfyourcommentsareaboutthepoliceyoucanwritetotheChiefConstableofthePoliceServiceofScotland.Ifyouarenotsatisfiedwiththereplyyoureceive,youcancomplaintothePoliceComplaintsCommissionerforScotland(PCCS),HamiltonHouse,HamiltonBusinessPark,CairdPark,Hamilton,ML30QA,orcallfreephone08081785577,[email protected](www.pcc-scotland.org).PCCSwillinvestigatehowyourcomplaint
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wasdealtwithbytheChiefConstable,andmaymakerecommendationstothepoliceforceconcerned.
The Procurator Fiscal Service
ComplaintsshouldbedirectedtotherelevantProcuratorFiscal’sOffice(or,whereappropriate,therelevantCrownOfficeUnitorDivision)wherethecomplaintoriginated.Yourcomplaintwillbehandledbyalocalmanager.Ifyouaredissatisfiedwiththeresponseyoucanrequestareviewbyamoreseniormanager.ThereviewwilloftenbecarriedoutbytheAreaProcuratorFiscal(oraseniormanagernominatedontheirbehalf ),theAreaBusinessManagerortheHeadoftherelevantCrownOfficeUnitorDivision.AcomplaintthatremainsunresolvedmaybereferredforafinalreviewtotheCrownAgentandChiefExecutive(theHeadofCOPFS)CrownOffice,25ChambersStreet,EdinburghEH11LAoraseniormanagernominatedontheirbehalf.
Courts
IfyourcommentsareaboutaSheriffCourtyoucanwritetotheSheriffClerk,ifabouttheHighCourt,youcanwritetotheDeputyPrincipalClerkofJusticiary.Ifyouarenotsatisfiedwiththereplyyoureceive,youcanwritetotheSheriffdomBusinessManager(SheriffCourt)andPrincipalClerkofJusticiary(HighCourt).Ifyouarestillnotsatisfied,youcanwritetotheChiefExecutive,attheScottishCourtService,SaughtonHouse,BroomhouseDrive,EdinburghEH113XD.
IfyourcommentsareaboutaSherifforJudgeyoucanwritetoTheExecutiveDirector,JudicialOfficeforScotland,JudicialOfficeforScotland,1AParliamentSquare,EdinburghEH11RQ.
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Your Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)
YourMSP’sjobistorepresentyourinterestsintheParliament.Youmaywanttowritetoormeetthemtodiscussanyaspectofyourcasewhichyouthinktheycouldactupon.
YoucanwritetoyourMSPattheScottishParliament,EdinburghEH991SP.YoucanfindoutthenameofyourMSPsbycalling01313485000or08000927500(textphone08000927100)orvisitingtheScottishParliamentwebsiteatwww.scottish.parliament.uk.
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Section 7: Useful organisations and support
7This section provides contact details for organisations which can offer you support at this difficult time. Some offer support at specific times (e.g. the Witness Service at court) while others can provide support before and after the court case.
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7.1 Services provided by Victim Support Scotland (VSS)
Victim Service
VictimSupportScotlandgivesfreeandconfidentialhelpandsupporttoallthoseaffectedbycrime.Theyhavespeciallytrainedpeoplewhoareabletosupportpeoplebereavedbyviolentcrime.
ThepolicecanputyouintouchwithyourlocalVictimSupportserviceoryoucancontactthemyourself.LookinthephonebookfordetailsofyourlocalofficeorcontacttheVSSnationalofficeon01316684486,orthehelplineon08456039213between8.00am-8.00pm.
AUKVictimSupporthelpline,08453030900,isopen9.00am-9.00pmweekdaysand9.00am-7.00pmweekends.Callsarechargedatthelocalrate.
FurtherinformationcanalsobefoundontheVictimSupportScotlandwebsiteatwww.victimsupportsco.org.uk
Support After Murder (SAM)
ThisVSSserviceofferssupporttofamiliesandfriendswhohavebeenbereavedasaresultofmurderorculpablehomicide.Trainedvolunteersalsoofferspecificsupporttoyoungpeopleintheaftermathofmurder.Thisservicecanbeaccessedthroughthesamecontactpointsgivenonthepreviouspage.
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Witness Service
TheWitnessService,runbyVictimSupportScotland,isavailableineverySheriffandHighCourtinScotland.Itprovidesafreeandconfidentialserviceincluding:
• someonetotalktoinconfidence
• informationoncourtprocedures
• theopportunitytovisitacourtbeforethetrial
• aquietplacetowaitbeforeandduringthehearing
• someonetoaccompanyyouintothecourtroomwhengivingevidence
• practicalhelp,forexample,withexpenseforms
• puttingyouintouchwithpeoplewhocananswerspecificquestionsaboutthecase(pleasenotetheWitnessServicecannotdiscussevidenceorofferlegaladvice)and
• theopportunitytotalkoverthecasewhenithasendedandtogetmorehelporinformation.
YouwillfinddetailsoftheWitnessServiceinthephonebookunderthenameoftheCourt.OryoucancontacttheVictimSupportScotlandnationalofficeon01316684486orthehelplineon08456039213.
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7.2 Self-help and other support groups
Petal (People Experiencing Trauma and Loss)
PetalSupportprovidessupporttopeoplewhohaveexperiencedthelossofafamilymemberorfriendthroughmurder,culpablehomicideandsuicide.Theorganisationprovidesservicestoadults,youngpeopleandchildren.Petaldeliverstherapeuticserviceswhichincludeonetoonecounselling,groupandtelephonecounselling,stressrelievingtherapies,suicideprevention,peersupportgroups,advocacy,practicaladviceonlegalaspectsandrelatedissues,andmediationbetweenclients,agenciesandemployers.
AtelephonecounsellingserviceisprovidedtomemberswhentheyareunabletotraveltothePetalsupportcentresinHamiltonandGlasgow.Itisaregisteredcharitywithnoaffiliationtoanyreligiousorpoliticalpartyandwelcomesallsectionsofthecommunity.
Petalisfreeandconfidentialandprovidessupporttomurderandsuicidevictims’familiesandfriends–irrespective of time.
PETALcanbecontactedon01698324502oryoucanwritetothemat:
8BarrackStreetHamiltonML30DG
Thewebsiteaddressiswww.petalsupport.com,[email protected].
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Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland
Anationwideserviceofferingcounsellingandadviceforallbereavedpeople.Youcancontactthemat:
CruseBereavementCareScotlandRiverviewHouseFriartonRoadPerthPH28DF
Telephone:08456002227or01738444178e-mailadmin@crusescotland.org.ukorvisitthewebsiteatwww.crusescotland.org.uk
The Compassionate Friends
CompassionateFriendsisaself-helpgroupofferingfriendshipandsupporttobereavedparentsorgrandparentswhohavelostachildofanyagethroughillness,accident,violenceorsuicide.Theycanbecontactedviatheirlocalratehelpline–08451232304–whichisalwaysstaffedbyabereavedparentandisavailable365days,e-mailatinfo@tcf.org.ukorvisitthewebsitewww.tcf.org.uk.Ifyouprefer,youcanwriteto:
CompassionateFriends53NorthStreetBristolBS31EN
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Lesbian and Gay Bereavement Project
TheLGBPoperatesahelplinewhichoffersalisteningeartolesbiansandgaymenwhohavebeenbereavedaswellastofamilyandfriends,colleaguesandcarers.Theycanbecontactedon02078373337.Moreinformationontheprojectisavailableatwww.londonfriend.org.uk/bereavementhelpline/
Help,information,adviceandsupportisavailablefromtheLesbianandGaySwitchboard:
LothianLGBTHelpline–01315564049/www.lgbthealth.org.ukStrathclydeLesbianandGaySwitchboard–01418470447/www.sgls.co.uk
Samaritans
BranchesthroughouttheUKofferhelptopeoplewhoaresuicidalorindespair.Lookinthephonebookfordetailsofyourlocalbranch,orcontacttheir24-hourhelplineon08457909090.Youcancallanyofthelocalbranchesor,ifyouwouldprefer,writealetter,tothecorrespondencebranchat:
POBox9090StirlingFK82SA
Furtherinformationcanalsobefoundontheirwebsiteat:www.samaritans.org.uk.
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7.3 Other sources of help
The Moira Fund
TheMoiraFundmakesgrantsavailabletoindividualsreferredtothem,whohavebeenbereavedthroughviolentdeath.Thisincludessupporting:
• Accesstospecialistbereavementcounselling
• Accesstorespiteand/orretreat
• Participationinasupportnetwork
• Needswhichmayariseandforwhichthereisnocurrentprovision.
TheMoiraFundmaybecontactedatthefollowingaddress:
TheMoiraFundPOBox3213StaffordST169LJ
oremail:info@themoirafund.org.uk.Thewebsiteaddressiswww.themoirafund.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
Bureauxprovidefree,independent,impartialandconfidentialadviceandassistanceonawiderangeofissues,includingfinancialandlegalmatters.ForyournearestCABlookinthephonebook,contactthenationalorganisation(CitizensAdviceScotland)on01315501000orvisitwww.cas.org.uk.
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The Law Society of Scotland
TheLawSocietyistheprofessionalbodytowhichallsolicitorsbelong.Theycanprovideyouwithdetailsaboutsolicitorsinyourarea.Youcancontactthemon01312267411,bytextphoneon01314768359orvisittheirwebsiteatwww.lawscot.org.uk.Alternatively,youcanwriteto:
TheLawSocietyofScotland26DrumsheughGardensEdinburghEH37YR
Local authority housing or social work services
Youcanfinddetailsunderthenameofyourlocalcouncilinyourlocaltelephonedirectory.
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Section 8: Understanding the legal process and terms
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8.1 Flowchart showing the investigation and prosecution process
Notes:1.Procedureswillnotalwaysfollowtheflowchart(forexample,theaccusedmaybe
identifiedbutcannotbetracedorarrestedimmediately).Ifthisisthecase,theFamilyLiaisonOfficer/VIA/procuratorfiscalwillexplainthistoyou.
2.Thetermsusedintheflowchartareexplainedmorefullyinsection8.2.
Deathreportedtopolice
Policeinvestigationbegins
PFinstructspostmortemexamination
Evidencegatheredtoindentifysuspect
Suspectarrested(interviewedbypolice)
PolicemakereporttoPF
PFtakespreliminarydecisiononproceedings
Policeinformprocutatorfiscal(PF)whoprovidesadviceanddirectiontopolice
investigations
Bailgranted(accusedreleasedandtrialmuststart
within12monthsofthisdate)
Bailgranted(accusedreleasedandtrialmuststart
within12monthsoffirstcourtappearance)
Bailrefused(accusedremandedincustody.
Preliminaryhearingmustbeginwithin110daysandthetrialwithin140days)
First court appearance by accused (“Appearing on petition”. In private, on preliminary
charges, usually first working day after arrest. Accused “commited for further examination”)
Bailrefused(accusedkeptincustody)
Within7-11daysAccusedappearsfor
“fullcommittal”(inprivate)
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PFpreparescase(interviews–precognosces–witnesses,preparesreportforCrownCounsel)
PFreportstocrowncounselwhoinstructsproceedings(indictmentservedonaccusedgivingcharges)
Preliminaryhearing(tofindoutifprosecutionanddefencearereadytogototrial)
Prosecutionand/ordefencenotpreparedfortrial
Accusedpleadsguilty(maybetoareduced/amendedcharge)
Defencemakepleainmitigation
Accusedpleadsnotguilty
Trial
Verdict
Guilty
Defencemakepleainmitigation
Notguilty/Notproven
JudgedecidesonsentenceByProsecution
(onlyifsentenceis“undulylenient”)
Byaccused(againstsentenceonly)
ByProsecution(onlyifsentenceis“undulylenient”)
Byaccused(againstconvictionand/orsentence)
Accusedfree
Appeal?
Prosecutionpresentsfacts
Judgedecidesonsentence
Appeal?
Trialdate
Prosecutionand/ordefencepreparedfortrial
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8.2 Explanation of legal termsThissectionisintendedtohelpyouunderstandthetermsthatyoumighthearduringtheinvestigationandanytrial.Itislistedalphabeticallyandshowscommonabbreviationsyoumayalsohear.
Term (Abbreviation) Explanation
Adjournment Abreakincourtproceedings.Thismaybeforlunch,overnightortoacompletelynewdate.
Advocate Depute (AD) AnadvocateorseniorProcuratorFiscalwhoworksonlyfortheprosecutionandprosecutesonlyintheHighCourt.
Appeal Achallengetotheaccused’sconvictionorsentenceorboth.Theprosecutioncanonlyappealagainstasentenceiftheyregarditasundulylenient.
Appearing on petition Thisreferstotheaccused’sappearancesintheSheriffCourttoanswerpreliminarycharges(seelaterintable).Theseproceedingsareheldinprivateandmayinvolvetwoseparateappearances–committalforfurtherexaminationandfullcommittal(bothareexplainedlater).Theaccusedwilleitherbegrantedbailorremandedincustody.
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Term (Abbreviation) Explanation
Bail Whentheaccusedisreleasedfromcustodyuntilthetrial,orafterconvictionandbeforesentence.Whenreleasedonbail,theaccusedmustadheretostandardconditionsthathe/sheappearatcourt,doesnotcommitfurtheroffences,doesnotinterferewithwitnessesorotherwiseobstructthecourseofjustice,doesnotbehaveinanalarmingordistressingmanner,andmakeshimself/herselfavailableforenquiriesorreport.Thecourtsmayaddanyfurther,specialconditionstheyliketoensuretheobservanceofthesestandardconditions.Examplesofspecialconditionsarethatanaccuseddoesnotenteracertainareaorhasacurfew,meaninghe/shemustremainathomeduringcertainperiodsoftheday/night.
Charge (to the jury)
TheJudge’slegaldirectiontoajuryinmattersoflawandevidencebeforetheydecideontheirverdict.
Citation (to be a witness)
Aletterwhichtellsawitnesstoattendcourttogiveevidenceatatrial.Itstatesthedate,timeandlocationthewitnessshouldattend.
Clerk of Court Responsibleforthemanagementofthecourtandjurors.TheclerkisthemainpointofcontactwiththeJudgeandensuresthecorrectrecordingofallproceedings,includingtheverdict.
Committal for further examination (CFE)
Whathappensattheendoftheaccused’sfirstcourtappearance.Theaccusedwilleitherbegrantedbailorremandedincustodyuntilbeingfullycommittedfortrial(seelater).
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Term (Abbreviation) Explanation
Crown Counsel Seniorprosecutors(alsocalledAdvocatesDepute)whodecidewhetheracriminalprosecutionshouldtakeplace,againstwhomandonwhatcharges.Theyreceivereportsfromtheprocuratorfiscalabouttheevidenceinthecase.
Counsel Theadvocatethatactsforeithertheprosecutionortheaccused(adifferentadvocatewillactforeach).
Court familiarisation visit
Thiscanhelpyoufindoutwhattoexpectatcourt,particularlyifyouwillbeawitnessatthetrial.ItcanbearrangedinadvanceofthetrialthroughtheVIAofficerortheWitnessService.
Determinate sentence Whensomeonewhoisconvictedofculpablehomicideissentencedtoaspecificperiodofimprisonment.
Family Liaison Officer (FLO)
Thepoliceofficerwhoactsasthecontactwiththepoliceinvestigationandkeepsyouinformedofdevelopments.
Forensic evidence Thescientificevidencecollectedfromacrimescene,thebodyofthedeceasedandfromotherpeople,e.g.fingerprints,DNAsamples.
Full committal (FC) ThesecondappearancebytheaccusedinprivateintheSheriffCourt.Itisheldtoconfirmthattheaccusedshouldbebroughttotrial.Bailcanalsobeconsideredatthishearing.
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Term (Abbreviation) Explanation
Home Detention Curfew (HDC)
Afterariskassessment,offenderscanbeconsideredforreleasebetween2weeksand6monthsbeforethedateonwhichtheywouldotherwiseleaveprison.OffendersreleasedonHDCaresubjecttocurfewconditionsandmonitoredremotelybyelectronicequipment(a“tag”).
Indictment Thedocumentthatsetsoutthecharge(s)inwriting.Itisgiventotheaccusedsothattheyknowwhattheyareaccusedof.
Interim liberation Whentheoffenderisreleasedonbail,afterappealingagainstsentenceand/orconvictionandbeforeadecisionontheappealismade.
Judge AJudgepresidesovercasesheardintheHighCourt(inaSheriffCourt,theJudgeiscalledaSheriff ).
Law Officers ThemostseniorprosecutorsinScotland–theLordAdvocateandtheSolicitorGeneral.Anydecisiontoacceptapleaofguiltytoareducedchargeinamurdercasecanonlybetakenwiththeirapproval.
Licence Whenanoffenderisreleasedfromprisonbeforetheendoftheirsentence,thelicencesetsouttheconditionsofbehaviourthattheymustmeet.
Lord Advocate Scotland’sseniorprosecutor,withoverallresponsibilityfortheprosecutionofcrimeinScotland.
Macer AnofficerofthecourtwhoattendstotheJudgeandassistswithwitnessesandproductionsinthetrial.
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Term (Abbreviation) Explanation
Mentally disordered offender (MDO)
Mentallydisorderedoffendersarepeople,who,asaresultofmentalillness,havebeenfoundbythecourttohavediminishedresponsibility,orhavebeenfoundnotguiltyonaccountofinsanity.
Parole Whenanoffenderisallowedtobereleasedearlyfromaprisonsentence.Thisreleasewillbesubjecttolicenceconditions(seeearlierintable).
Parole Board for Scotland
Responsiblefordecidingwhenalifesentenceprisoneroronesentencedto4yearsormorewillbereleasedfromprisononlicence.TheBoardalsoconsidersanybreachesoflicenceconditionsanddetermineswhethertheriskcannolongerbemanagedinwhichcasetheoffendermayberecalledtoprison.
Pathologist Aqualifieddoctorwhoexaminesthebodyofthedeceasedtofindoutthecauseofdeath.
Petition Thefirstdocumentwhichsetsoutthechargeagainsttheaccused,andstartstheformalcourtprocess.Thiswillnotnecessarilyresultinatrialandifitdoes,thechargesthattheaccusedfacesattrialmaybedifferentfromthosesetoutinthepetition.
Plea Theaccused’sanswertothecharge.Notrialisneedediftheypleadguilty.
Plea in mitigation Anyfactorsthattheaccused’scounselthinksshouldbetakenintoaccountbeforesentenceispassed.
Post mortem examination Themedicalexaminationofthebodyofthedeceased.
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Term (Abbreviation) Explanation
Precognition or precognition investigation
Theprocessofgettinginformationfromwitnessestofindoutwhattheyknowaboutacrime.Thishappensbeforeatrialandusuallyinvolvestakingawrittenstatement.Itisdonebytheprosecution(ProcuratorFiscalorprecognitionofficer)andmayalsobedonebythedefence(solicitororprecognitionagent).Itisavitalpartoftheprosecutionprocessandyoumustgiveaprecognitionifaskedtodoso.
Precognition agent Apersonworkingonbehalfofadefencelawyertofindoutfromwitnesseswhattheyknowaboutthecrime.Theywillusuallytakeawrittenstatementandcontactyouathometoarrangethis.
Precognition officer ApersonemployedbytheProcuratorFiscaltofindoutfromwitnesseswhattheyknowaboutthecrime.TheywillusuallyaskyoutoattendtheProcuratorFiscal’sOfficesotheycantakeawrittenstatementfromyou.
Preliminary hearing ThisiswheretheprosecutionandthedefencewilltelltheJudgewhetherornottheyarereadyforthecasetogototrial.Theymayalsoagreeanyuncontroversialevidence.Thetrialdatewillonlybesetoncebothpartiesarefullyprepared.
Proceedings Generaltermforthecourtprocess.
Procurator Fiscal (PF) Aqualifiedlawyerwhoisthepublicofficialinalocalarearesponsibleforinvestigatingsuddendeathsandprosecutingcrime.
Productions Documentsshownasevidenceincourtduringatrial,e.g.aforensicreport.Otheritems,e.g.clothingarereferredtoaslabels.
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Term (Abbreviation) Explanation
Punishment part (of sentence)
Howlonganoffenderwhoisgivenalifesentencemustspendinprison.Itistheminimumtimetheymustspendinprisonbeforebeingconsideredforrelease.
Remand or remanded in custody
Whenapersoniskeptincustody(prisonoraYoungOffenders’Institution)awaitingtrialorbeforesentence.
Senior Investigating Officer (SIO)
Theseniorpoliceofficerinchargeofthepoliceteaminvestigatingthedeath.
Sentence discount WhentheJudgereducesthelengthofsentencepassedbecausetheaccusedhaspleadedguilty.Thediscountshouldbestatedincourtandshouldnotbemorethanathirdofthemaximumavailablesentence.
Sheriff AJudgewhoworksintheSheriffCourtinalocalarea.
Sheriff Court Thelocalareacourtwherethefirststepofthecourtproceedingswilltakeplace.
Solemn procedure WhereatrialtakesplaceinfrontofaJudgeandjury(alwaysthecaseinamurderorculpablehomicidetrial).
Solicitor General AssiststheLordAdvocateinleadingtheprosecutionservice.
Special measure Aformofsupportthatmaybeconsideredforaparticularlyvulnerablewitnesstohelpthemgiveevidence.
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Term (Abbreviation) Explanation
Victim Information and Advice (VIA) service
PartoftheCrownOfficeandProcuratorFiscalService.Keepsvictimsandtheirfamiliesadvisedabouttheprogressofthecasethataffectsthem.VIAalsoprovidesgeneralinformationaboutthecriminaljusticesystem,candiscussanyconcernsyouhaveifyouareawitnessinthecaseandcanputyouintouchwithorganisationsthatofferpracticalandemotionalsupport.
Warrant Adocumentfromacourtallowingthepolicetotakecertainaction,e.g.toarrestsomeoneortosearchpremises.
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Acknowledgements
Thisinformationpackwasoriginallywrittenin2004bytheVictimsofCrimebranchoftheScottishGovernment,withhelpandadvicethroughoutfromaworkinggroupofrepresentativesfromsupportorganisationsandcriminaljusticeagencies.ThisgroupcomprisedrepresentativesoftheCrownOfficeandProcuratorFiscalService(includingVictimInformationandAdvice),PeopleExperiencingTraumaandLoss(PETAL),thepolice,theScottishCourtsService,SocialWork,andVictimSupportScotland(VSS).Individualfamiliesbereavedbymurderalsocommentedonthepack.
ContributionswerealsomadebyofficialsacrosstheScottishGovernment,andtheForeignandCommonwealthOffice.
Thepackhasbeenupdatedinconsultationwiththesekeystakeholders.
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2013 Edition
© Crown copyright 2013
ISBN: 978-1-78256-390-7
APS Group Scotland
DPPAS13794 (03/13)
w w w . s c o t l a n d . g o v . u k