Coronavirus (COVID-19): Justice Analytical Services data report - July 2020
Second 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, courts and prisons.
Criminal Disposals
There were 78% fewer disposals from Scotland's courts from April to July 2020 compared to April-July 2019.
Between April and July 2019, there were 28,799 disposals in Scotland's courts (excluding secondary disposals and the 'other' disposal category). There have been 6,231 disposals between April and July 2020.
If courts had not been subject to lockdown and crime levels had remained the same we could have expected the number of April-July 2020 court disposals to be similar to April-July 2019 levels.
From April to July of 2020, there have been 65% fewer custodial sentences and 90% fewer community disposals imposed by the courts than might have been expected under normal circumstances.
| To 31 July 2020 | April – July 2019 | April – July 2020 | Change since 2019 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imprisonment | 4,158 | 1,445 | -2,713 (-65%) |
| Community Disposal (CPO & DTTO) | 5,566 | 553 | -5,013 (-90%) |
| Restriction of Liberty Order | 1,099 | 158 | -941 (-86%) |
| Fine etc. | 12,068 | 2,625 | -9,443 (-78%) |
| Admonished/ Discharged | 5,908 | 1,450 | -4,458 (-75%) |
Overall, the number of crimes and offences recorded by the police between April and July 2020 was 9% lower than the same period in 2019. It will take time for these cases to make their way 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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