Role of the police

• Maintaining law and order

  Prevention and detection
• Other police duties


  • Terrorism etc
• Types of courts

  • Criminal
  • Civil
• Types of court procedures

  • Solemn (more serious)
  • Summary
• High court


  • Deals with more serious crimes such as treason, murder, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking, sexual offences involving children
  • Has unlimited sentencing powers
• Under the parole system

  • A prisoner may be eligible for early release if no longer a danger to society
  • In most serious murder cases, the judge can recommend the criminal may never be eligible for parole
• Sheriff courts


  • There are 49 in Scotland
  • A sheriff may impose prison sentences up to 12 months or a fine up to £10,000
• Justice of the Peace court

  • The maximum sentence they may impose is 60 days imprisonment or a fine not exceeding £2,300
• Remand prisoner


  Has not been convicted but is being held in prison until charges are heard in court
• Sentenced prisoner

  Has been convicted
• Children's hearing


  • Very different from a court
  • Informal so child/young person feels comfortable
  • Child's parents are expected to attend and can be fined if they do not
• Polmont

  • Scotland's national holding facility for young offenders, 16-21 years of age
• Alternatives to custody


  • Supervised Attendance Orders (carry out constructive activities under supervision)
  • Probation Order (accused under supervision of local authority officer, max 3 years)
  • Community Service Order (accused to undertake 80-300 hrs unpaid work under supervision)
  • Compensation (court may order accused to pay compensation to victims)