Coronavirus (COVID-19): Justice Analytical Services Data Report - December 2020
Seventh release of a monthly data report on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the justice system in Scotland, including information from Police Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, and Scottish Prison Service.
Criminal Disposals
In December 2020 there were 6,092 disposals (excluding secondary disposals and the 'other' disposal category) from Scotland's courts. This is 84% of the 19-20 monthly average of 7,278 and 0.25% higher than November 2020.
However, as a result of lockdown, between April and December 2020 there were 28,447 (43%) fewer disposals compared to the same time the previous year.
If courts had not been subject to lockdown and crime levels had remained the same we could have expected the number of April to November 2020 court disposals to be similar to April to November 2019 levels.
From April to December of 2020, there have been 40% fewer custodial sentences and 51% fewer community disposals imposed by the courts than might have been expected under normal circumstances.
| To: 31 December 2020 | Monthly average 2019-20 | Dec 2020 | Change % | Apr-Dec 2019 | Apr-Dec2020 | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imprisonment | 1,011 | 902 | -11% | 9,211 | 5,560 | -40% |
| Community Disposal (CPO & DTTO) | 1,384 | 1,308 | -5% | 12,639 | 6,167 | -51% |
| Restriction of Liberty Order | 296 | 414 | +40% | 2,668 | 1,831 | -31% |
| Fine etc. | 3,106 | 2,186 | -30% | 27,938 | 14,790 | -47% |
| Admonished/ Discharged | 1,481 | 1,282 | -13% | 13,315 | 8,976 | -33% |
Overall, the number of crimes recorded by the police between April and December 2020 was 6% lower than the same period in 2019. It will take time for these cases to move through the courts system and it is unlikely that many of these cases are included in the disposal figures above. Any changes in crime levels may have associated impacts on volumes of court business and disposals.
Further Information: Latest SCTS published official statistics can be found here:https://scotcourts.gov.uk/official-statistics
Contact
Email: Justice_Analysts@gov.scot
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