Going to court

Information and support on court proceedings and what to expect when you attend a court.

Contents

Bail Supervision

Justice Social Work assesses all Bail Opposed cases to help decide if Bail Supervision is suitable.

If someone is placed on Bail Supervision, they must follow certain conditions, such as:

  • Not contacting witnesses
  • Not committing further offences
  • Living at an agreed address

Bail Supervision allows people to stay in the community while reducing the risk of reoffending.
Justice Social Work staff meet with the person regularly to monitor their behaviour, manage risk, and support positive change.

Bail with Electronic Monitoring

This means a person is fitted with an electronic monitoring device (a “tag”) and must stay at an approved address for up to 12 hours a day. This is added as a bail condition.

Diversion from Prosecution

The Procurator Fiscal may ask Justice Social Work to complete a Diversion Assessment if they think a case might not need to go to court.

A worker will meet the person to discuss the situation and prepare a report. If diversion is agreed, the person may need to work on the issues identified. Justice Social Work may support them directly or refer them to another service.

Structured Deferred Sentences

A Structured Deferred Sentence is used after someone is convicted but before final sentencing. It provides a short period of focused support to:

  • Address identified needs
  • Avoid unnecessary long-term supervision
  • Test a person’s willingness to engage

Assessment for SDS is included in the Justice Social Work Report.

Read more about Structured Deferred Sentences here