COPFS

Lord Advocate's Guidelines

Lord Advocate's Guidelines - Investigation of Road Traffic deaths

This document contains guidance to the Chief Constable in the investigation and reporting of road traffic deaths.

Lord Advocate's Guidelines - Search and Seizure and Retention of Property

These Guidelines are issued by the Lord Advocate under Section 127R of Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. They are designed to ensure clarity for officers as to the exercise of the powers of search, seizure and retention and the circumstances in which the seizure of property requires to be reported to Crown Office Proceeds of Crime Unit (POCU).

New powers, set out in the Policing and Crime Act 2009, have been introduced in Scotland to provide for search, seizure and continued retention of property with a view to ensuring that property is available for confiscation at the conclusion of criminal proceedings.  The powers may be exercised whether or not a restraint order is in place. 

Lord Advocate's Instructions on the non-prosecution of victims of Human Trafficking

This document contains guidance for prosecutors when considering prosecution of victims of Human Trafficking and Exploitation.

Lord Advocates Guidelines offences committed by children.pdf26.06 KB 

This document contains guidance to police officers in Scotland on the categories of offence which require to be jointly reported to the Procurator Fiscal and the Children’s Reporter

Prosecution Guidance in Relation to Same Sex Marriage13.35 KB

Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal’s Service recognise the sensitivity of the issues and the strength of opinion surrounding same sex marriage

Extension of Detention of Persons Arrested Under Section 41 and Schedule 8 of The Terrorism Act 200032.06 KB

These Guidelines provide guidance to the Police where consideration is being given to extend the period of detention / delay access to solicitor / question a suspect post-charge, under the Terrorism Act 2006. 

Incidents and Sporting Events.20.97 KB

Lord Advocate Guidelines to Chief Constables regarding Incidents between sportmen during Sporting Event Especially those in front of large crowds or televised to the public.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders - October 2004.15.97 KB

Guidance to Police about reporting of cases involving a breach of an Antisocial Behaviour order.

Lord Advocate's Guidelines on Offending at Football - June 2018 
This is a guide to the Act. The objective of the offences provided for in this Act is to tackle sectarian hatred and other offensive and threatening behaviour related to football matches and to prevent the communication of threatening material, particularly where it incites religious hatred.  

Citation of Witnesses. 15.48 KB

Guidelines to Police on procedures to be followed in the citation of witnesses for attendance at court. 

Conduct of Visual Identification Parades - February 2007133.12 KB

"Identification Procedures" comprise of witnesses being given the opportunity to identify a suspect or accused persons visually in either a video identification parade, identification parade or related procedure.

Driver Improvement Scheme - April 200731.81 KB

Guidelines to police regarding this scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to provide an alternative to prosecution for drivers charged with a contravention of the Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 3 (careless driving).

Enforcement of soliciting and loitering offences by purchasers.36.43 KB

The Prostitution (Public Places) Scotland Act 2007 criminalises the act of a purchaser who attempts to engage in prostitution. These Guidelines are intended to provide guidance on the available enforcement options and prescribe minimum enforcement criteria

Investigation and Reporting of Racist Crime 2 - January 2002.81.72 KB

This consolidated document provides guidance to the police in relation to issues of reporting of racist crime.

Liberation by the Police as amended on 11 April 2018

Guidelines to Chief Constable regarding Liberation of accused by the Police pending summary trial.

New Generation Breath Test Devices22.91 KB

This guidance takes into account the amendment of section 7 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and type approval of new generation breath test devices by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 18 August 2014.

Please see also the letter from the Crown Agent to the Law Society of Scotland of November 2014 regarding the introduction of reduced Drink Drive limits on 5 December 2014 Letter from the Crown Agent to the Law Society of Scotland44.4 KB

Offences Aggravated by Prejudice.38.45 KB

Guidelines on Offences Aggravated by Prejudice Incorporating - Offences Aggravated by Religious Prejudice -  Offences aggravated by prejudice related to disability, Offences aggravated by prejudice related to sexual orientation or transgender identity.

Police and the media

Amended Guidelines issues 1983 - Regarding the communication with the Media and the possible contempt of court implications. 

Providing Information on Vulnerable Adult Witnesses - March 2007. 146.27 KB

The Act aims to improve conditions for vulnerable witnesses by increasing the number of support measures available to help them participate more fully in criminal and civil proceedings. It also extends the definition of ‘vulnerable witness’ to include adult witnesses where there is a significant risk that the quality of their evidence will be diminished through fear or distress.