Sentencing Council posts new videos as learning tools
A new series of four introductory videos has been added to the Scottish Sentencing Council website.
One, entitled "If you were the judge", follows the court case of Jack who has caused alarm in a nightclub and assaulted the steward. The video explains what the sheriff will think about when sentencing Jack and what sentences are available in Scotland. Viewers can visit an interactive web page to decide what sentence they would give Jack, if they were the judge.
It follows an earlier interactive case study on the court case of Paul, charged with robbing a shop. As web users go through his case, they choose various permutations such as how he will plead and whether he has previous convictions, as well as what sentence they would give him.
Two more new videos show how sentencing works for victims of crime; and what different sentences mean for offenders and their families.
A fourth new addition to the site explains sentencing in an easy to understand way.