Victims and witnesses service standards published by COPFS
Victims and witnesses have been given new standards of service that they can expect from the Scottish criminal justice system, in a document published today by the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service.
Based on the principles set out in s 1 of the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014, it aims to make sure that victims and witnesses have access to the information they need, and that they are treated fairly.
The standards are the result of a partnership between COPFS, the Parole Board for Scotland, Police Scotland, the Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service and the Scottish Prison Service, in consultation with victims' organisations.
They explain what a victim or witness can expect to happen at each stage of the criminal justice system process, the standards of service they can expect, and who they can contact for help or advice so they can participate effectively in criminal proceedings.