Criminal Proceedings in Scotland 2011-12

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 2011-12.

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

1.3 The number of people with a charge proved in 2011-12 fell to 108,336 - the fifth consecutive annual fall and the lowest figure in ten years (see Chart 1).

Chart 1: Number of people with a charge proved in Scottish courts by main penalty, 2002-03 to 2011-12