crime unit

Question 1

effectiveness of the court (yes it is effective)
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Answer 1

P: Low (and decreasing) levels of crime in Scotland
E: This shows that the court system is effective because crime rates in Scotland have decreased. Showing that what the court is doing is effective. They are effecting criminals behaviour or deterring people from committing crime.
E: Since 2007-2008 recorded crime in Scotland has reduced by 38%

Question 2

effectiveness of the court (yes it is effective)
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Answer 2

P: Most people are confident that the justice system is doing its job, then this shows that the court system is handling crime. Boosts of publics faith that the justice is being served and that their taxes are being spent correctly.
E: The majority if people in Scotland 2016/17 were confident that the court system were bringing people justice. (63%)

Question 3

effectiveness of the court (yes it is effective)
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Answer 3

P: Provides justice to victims
E: This means people in relation to the victim can rest well knowing that the perpetrator gets what they deserve and justice is served.
E: Aaron Campbell was sentenced to life with a punishment part of 27 years.

Question 4

effectiveness of the court (no it is not effective)
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Answer 4

P: Short sentences don’t seem to work as reordering rates are high.
E: This is because one role of a court is to rehabilitate criminals to prevent them reoffending, if reoffending rates are high then the court is not achieving this.
E: Statistics show that if you’re given a sentence of 12 months 57% of the criminals will be reconnected within a year

Question 5

effectiveness of the court (no it is not effective)
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Answer 5

P: Most people are not confident that courts give out the right punishment when dealing with crime.
E: This shows courts are ineffective because courts may be issuing short sentences for crimes like drug dealing that the public don’t agree with.
E: Most people (56%) are not confident that courts give out the right punishments when dealing with crime.

Question 6

effectiveness of the court (no it is not effective)
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Answer 6

P: Some guilty people get away with their crime.
E: This shows courts are ineffective because by issuing verdicts such as the not proven verdict courts may not be providing justice to victims
E: 1 in 5 rape trials result in the not proven verdict.

Question 7

role of the police
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Answer 7

P: One role of the police is to manage traffic.
E: This is when the police in Scotland patrol the roads, enforce traffic laws and ensure road safety. One ion the roads is to catch and prevent people who are driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
E: For example, around 7,000 people are killed each year across the UK by drink-drivers showing it is important for police presence to reduce offenders.

Question 8

role of the police
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Answer 8

P: A second role of the police in Scotland is to catch and arrest a suspect.
E: This means that the police can keep a person in custody for up to 24 hours if the police believe that they have committed a criminal offence before they either have to charge or release a suspect.
E: An example of this is Aaron Campbell, who murderd Alesha MacPhil who was arrested and later charged with her murder.

Question 9

power held by the children hearing system
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Answer 9

P: One power held by the children hearing system its tear they can remove at risk children from their homes.
E: They can ask a child to attend a panel meeting, discussing issues with them about any abuse or negligent behaviour which the child may be facing, asses if they are in danger and move the child to a new home.
E: For example, a child who is at risk of physical or emotional abuse may be moved to a safer home environment.

Question 10

power held by the children hearing system
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Answer 10

P: Another power held by the children hearing system is the decision to issuer a compulsory supervision order.
E: This is when the child remakes at home but will be places under the supervision of a social worker to ensure the Childs safety and proper development.
E: For example, a child who has committed a number of small petty crimes may benefit from the support and guidance of a social worker, it gives them a chance ti change their behaviour.

Question 11

ways the children hearing system helps young people
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Answer 11

P: One way the children hearing system tries to help young people is they deal with the reasons why young people commit crime and offers supper for them to stop offending.
E: This is when the panel will work with the young person to explore and issues and difficulties they are having with life and look to support them to stop children committing crime.
E: For example, if a child is a violent offender they may also be given a social worker to help them improve their behaviour.

Question 12

ways the children hearing system helps young people
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Answer 12

P: The children hearing system helps young people by providing a relaxed atmosphere where young people can discuss their offending behaviour.
E: It is intimidating than going to an adult court and the young person will get help and support from school, social workers and the police to change their behaviour. By allowing them to attend a hearing in a friendly environment may encourage them to open up more about why they have offended.
E: For example, for many young people the adult court system is too intimidating and may lead to anxiety for the young person.

Question 13

crime that takes place in the UK
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Answer 13

P: One type of crime that takes place in the Uk is crime against property.
E: This is when a crime is committed against someone else’s property and damaged is caused to it.
E: For example, vandalism. This consists of breaking windows and graffiti on others property.

Question 14

crime that takes place in the UK
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Answer 14

P: One type of crime that takes place in the UK is crimes against a person.
E: This is when a serious crime is committed against someone else effecting that person greatly.
E: For example manslaughter. This is murder committed with no intention of wanting to kill, like getting in a car accident and hitting someone with your car and killing them on accident.

Question 15

sheriff courts

Answer 15

In Scotland there are a total of 49 Sheriff courts. They deal with most of the cases in Scotland. Crimes they can deal with include theft, assault and drug possession. In summary cases (less serious) the Sheriff can jail someone for up to 12 months or give them a fine up to £10,000. In solemn cases (more serious) the Sheriff can jail an unlimited fine. The Sheriff can also give an offender community sentences or probation.

Question 16

justice of the peace court

Answer 16

JOTP courts replaces District courts. A JOTP court runs the court with a legal qualified clerk (assistant). JOTP courts deal with much lower levels crimes than higher court and Sheriff courts including traffic crimes, breach of the peace and minor assault. A JP can give someone up to 60 days in jail or issue a fine of up to £2,500.

Question 17

high court

Answer 17

In Scotland Edinburgh and Glasgow have permanent High courts. Aberdeen can be used as a temporary Hugh court. Lord Justice General and Lord Justice Clerk oversee the High court. It deals with more serious cases of crime. For example, it deals with murder cases, rape, armed robbery. The High court can issue unlimited sentences such as a fine and prison sentence. There are 15 members of the public on a jury and it’s their job to reach a verdict. Guilty or not guilty the judge decides the sentence.

Question 18

prison effectiveness

Answer 18

one reason that prison can be effective is that it can help people learn to cope with life outside through rehabilitation. This means to address the reasons why someone committed a crime and make them less likely to re-offend again. Prison does this by giving counselling, providing an education and helping prisoners gain skills for the world of work.

Question 19

prison effectiveness

Answer 19

a second argument that prisons are effective is because they keep the public safe. By locking up dangerous criminals prison helps to keep people off the streets who might otherwise commit horrific crimes. For example, by locking up Aaron Campbell the murder of Alisha macphil the police have stopped this potential psychopath from harming others

Question 20

prison ineffectiveness

Answer 20

one argument that prisons may not be effective is because the rate of reoffending is quite high. A lot of time and money is wasted in convincing criminals and housing prisoners the first time let alone the second. The fact that so many reoffending suggests that prison is ineffective. For example, the Scottish government has had to ban short sentences of less than 12 months as reoffending rates were as high as 30%

Question 21

prison ineffectiveness

Answer 21

one argument that prison may not be effective is because of overcrowding. Many of Scotland’s prisons are old and victorian in design. This makes it hard to rehabilitate prisoners and If they don’t feel cared for by society and are treated so poorly then it isn’t surprising that they might commit more crimes in the future. The more prisoners also means more people to learn criminal activity from.