New sentencing guidelines are agreed

The Scottish Sentencing Council has finalised new guidelines setting out the process for all sentencing decisions in Scotland.

The sentencing process guideline, which will be submitted to the High Court for approval shortly, will pave the way for guidelines dealing with specific offences.

The Scottish Sentencing Council invited people to give their views on a draft sentencing process guideline which aims to demystify sentencing for the public. 

The independent consultation analysis, and the Council’s report on the consultation, have been published today. The consultation exercise demonstrated a high level of support for the Council’s general approach and a widely held belief that its publication will help to improve public awareness and confidence in sentencing.

The guideline sets out an eight-step process, explaining how courts arrive at sentencing decisions and the factors which may be taken into account. The responses to the consultation have also been considered in the further development of the Council’s sentencing young people guideline.

Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull, Chair of the Scottish Sentencing Council’s Sentencing Process Committee, said: “The Council is grateful to everyone who has taken time to respond to the consultation. The responses were considered carefully and were invaluable in informing our work to finalise the sentencing process guideline.”

More information is available here: https://www.scottishsentencingcouncil.org.uk/sentencing-guidelines/guidelines-in-development/sentencing-process-guideline/