Criminal Proceedings in Scotland 2012-13

1. Introduction

1.1. This bulletin forms part of the Scottish Government series of statistical bulletins on the criminal justice system. Statistics are presented on criminal proceedings concluded in Scottish courts and on a range of non-court disposals issued by the police and by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service during the financial year 2012-13.

1.2. Further detailed tables have been published as background statistics on the Scottish Government Crime and Justice Statistics website.

1.3. In 2012-13, the number of people proceeded against in Scottish courts fell by 7 per cent to 116,623 - the sixth consecutive annual fall since 2006-07 and the lowest figure seen within the ten year period covered in this bulletin. The number of people a charge proved in 2012-13 also fell by 7 per cent to 100,964 - at the same rate as the overall fall in proceedings (see Chart 1).

Chart 1: Number of people with a charge proved in Scottish courts by main penalty, 2003-04 to 2012-13