Coronavirus (COVID-19): Justice Analytical Services Data Report - March 2021
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 March 2021 there were 4,171 disposals (excluding secondary disposals and the 'other' disposal category) from Scotland's courts. This is 57% of the 19-20 monthly average of 7,278 and 23% higher than February 2021.
Between April 2020 and March 2021 there were 38,775 (44%) fewer disposals compared to 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 2020 to March 2021 court disposals to be similar to April 2019 to March 2020 levels.
From April to March of 2021, there have been 37% fewer custodial sentences and 49% fewer community disposals imposed by the courts than might have been expected under normal circumstances.
| To: 31 March 2021 | Monthly average 2019-20 | March 2021 | Change % | April – March 2019-20 | April – March 2020-21 | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imprisonment | 1,011 | 794 | -21% | 12,125 | 7,650 | -37% |
| Community Disposal (CPO & DTTO) | 1,384 | 810 | -41% | 16,600 | 8,546 | -49% |
| Restriction of Liberty Order | 296 | 330 | +11% | 3,555 | 2,774 | -22% |
| Fine etc. | 3,106 | 1,277 | -59% | 37,263 | 18,018 | -52% |
| Admonished/Discharged | 1,481 | 960 | -35% | 17,779 | 11,559 | -35% |
Overall, the number of crimes recorded by the police between April 2020 and March 2021 was 7% lower than the same period in 2019-20. 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 online
Contact
Email: Justice_Analysts@gov.scot
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