There are a variety of offenders who go through Scotland's criminal justice system. Each person is treated appropriately depending on the nature and seriousness of the crime they have committed.
The police report gives details of alleged crimes to the Procurator Fiscal who decides whether or not to prosecute and in which court the case should be heard.
The court hears all of the facts and circumstances surrounding the offence and the offender and makes its decision on sentencing within the legal parameters set by Parliament. The primary role of Government is to ensure that the courts have a range of suitable penalties available to manage the variety of offenders that come before them.
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