Crime and the law

• What is the primary role of courts?

  Determine guilt
• How does a court decide if someone has committed a crime?

  By hearing all arguments and evidence
• What must a judge decide after finding someone guilty?

  How they should be punished
• What factors does a judge consider when deciding punishment?

  History in crime and other factors
• What is a custodial sentence?

  Time spent in jail for crimes
• How long was Natalie MoGarry sentenced to jail?

  18 months
• What alternatives can courts order instead of jail time?

  Community service or home detention
• What is a financial penalty?

  A fixed penalty paid by a perpetrator
• What is the maximum fine a justice of peace can impose?

  £2,500
• What is the maximum jail time a justice of peace can impose?

  Up to 60 days
• What was the fine for a woman who stole a Mars bar?

  £330
• What is the maximum fine in a sheriff court?

  £10,000
• What is the maximum jail time for a solemn procedure in a sheriff court?

  5 years
• What is the high court's maximum penalty for fines?

  Unlimited fines
• What is the maximum prison sentence in the high court?

  Life in prison
• How long was the killer of Alesha MoPhail sentenced to jail?

  A minimum of 27 years
• What is one effectiveness of courts?

  Criminals get punished for their crimes
• How do courts deter others from committing crimes?

  By punishing offenders publicly
• What types of crimes receive tougher sentences?

  Sexual, racist, or homophobic crimes
• How do courts keep the public safe?

  By locking up dangerous individuals
• What is a significant ineffectiveness of the courts?

  High reoffending rates
• What is the reoffending rate for those jailed less than 12 months?

  About 30%
• What does the 'Not Proven' verdict mean in Scotland?

  Guilty but insufficient evidence to detain
• What percentage of rape trials in Scotland result in a 'Not Proven' verdict?

  About 1 in 5
• What recent trend has been observed in violent crimes despite court deterrence?

  Increase in violent crimes
• What is the purpose of Scotland's 'No Knives, Better Lives' campaign?

  Reduce knife crime through education
• How has the 'No Knives, Better Lives' campaign worked with local authorities?

  Through peer education and hard-hitting videos
• What was the goal of introducing laws to reduce alcohol consumption?

  Reduce crimes committed under influence
• What did the 'Road Traffic Act 2014' aim to do?

  Reduce alcohol consumption before driving
• What is the aim of the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) in Glasgow?

  Tackle causes of gang crime before it happens
• How does the VRU employ former offenders?

  To help turn gang members away from crime
• What has been the effect of the 'No Knives, Better Lives' campaign?

  Knife crime rates have fallen
• What was the outcome of the campaign between 2011 and 2016 regarding knife-related deaths?

  No one under 20 died in Glasgow
• What has been the impact of alcohol restriction laws?

  Reduced alcohol consumption and related crime
• What did the 'Taking Stock of Violence' report find?

  Significant decrease in offenders under influence
• What has been the trend in murder rates in Glasgow over the last 10 years?

  Decreased by around 60%
• What is a continuing issue with stabbings in Scotland?

  Stabbings continue to occur frequently
• What is one of the biggest causes of crime in Scotland?

  Alcohol-related crimes
• What percentage of serious assaults are committed by someone under the influence?

  2/3 of serious assaults
• What has been the trend in non-sexual violent crime in Scotland?

  Generally fallen over time