Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003

2003 asp 7

The Bill for this Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed by the Parliament on 20th February 2003 and received Royal Assent on 26th March 2003

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to make provision in relation to criminal justice, criminal procedure and evidence in criminal proceedings; to make provision as to the arrest, sentencing, custody and release of offenders and the obtaining of reports in relation to offenders; to make provision for the provision of assistance by local authorities to persons who are arrested and are in police custody or who are subject to a deferred sentence and for the making of grants to local authorities exercising jointly certain functions in relation to offenders and other persons; to make provision for the protection of the public at large from persons with a propensity to commit certain offences and for the establishment of the Risk Management Authority; to make provision for the granting of certain rights to the victims of crime; to make provision as to the jurisdiction of courts and the designation of certain courts as drugs courts; to make provision in relation to the physical punishment of children; to create offences in connection with traffic in prostitution or for purposes connected with pornography; to make provision as to the criminal law as it relates to bribery and the acceptance of bribes; to make provision in relation to criminal legal assistance; to require the aggravation of an offence by religious prejudice to be taken into account in sentencing; to make provision as respects police ranks and the powers and duties of certain civilians employed by police authorities; to make provision for the disqualification of convicted persons from jury service in both criminal and civil proceedings and for the separation of juries after retiral; to make provision for the use of live television links between prisons and courts; to make provision in relation to warrants to search; to amend Part V of the Police Act 1997 in its application to Scotland; to make provision in relation to the prohibition of certain matters in respect of cases referred to the Principal Reporter; to amend the law relating to penalties for wildlife offences; and for connected purposes.