You may have a lot of questions about what to expect if you have been charged with an offence. We hope the COPFS booklets listed in this page will answer some of your questions, for example what the different aspects of the court process involve and how people with learning disabilities are treated by the Scottish Criminal Justice System.
If you require further assistance or advice, please contact:
- Law Society of Scotland: Solicitors-led organisation offering legal advice.
- Public Defence Solicitor's Office (PDSO): A national team of publicly funded, specialist criminal defence lawyers with experience of dealing with all types of criminal cases.
- Scottish Legal Aid Board: Organisation offering help towards the costs of legal advice and representation, for those who qualify.
Information about the court process
Summary Trials leaflet and translated versions ▼
Information about Summary Trials - English June 15- Information about Summary Trials - Bengali June 15
- Information about Summary trials - Cantonese Jan 15
- Information about Summary trials - Latvian June 15
- Information about Summary trials - Lithuanian June 15
- Information about Summary trials - Mandarin June 15
- Information about Summary trials - Nepalese June 15
- Information about Summary trials - Polish Jan 15
- Information about Summary trials - Portuguese June 15
- Information about Summary trials - Punjabi Jan 15
- Information about Summary trials - Romanian June 15
- Information about Summary trials - Russian Jan 15
- Information about Summary trials - Slovakian June 15
- Information about Summary trials - Turkish Jan 15
- Information about Summary trials - Urdu Jan 15
Petition procedure leaflet and translated versions ▼
- Information about the Petition Procedure - English June 15
- Information about the Petition Procedure - Bosnian June 15
- Information about the Petition Procedure - German June 15
- Information about the Petition Procedure - Italian June 15
- Information about the Petition Procedure - Mandarin Jan 15
- Information about the Petition Procedure - Polish June 15
- Information about the Petition Procedure - Pushtu Jan 15
- Information about the Petition Procedure - Slovakian Jan 15
- Information about the Petition Procedure Spanish June 15
Sheriff and Jury procedure leaflet and translated versions ▼
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials June 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - Albanian June 2015
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - Bengali June 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - Cantonese June 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - Czechoslovakian Jan 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - Estonian June 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - German June 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - Kurdish Jan 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - Lithuanian June 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - Polish June 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - Portuguese June 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - Punjabi Jan 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - Romanian June 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - Russian June 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - Somali Jan 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - Urdu Jan 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials - Spanish June 15
- Information about Sheriff and Jury trials -Turkish June 15
High Court procedure leaflet and translated versions ▼
Sentences leaflet and translated versions ▼
- Information about Sentences June 15
- Information about Sentences -Bengali Jan 15
- Information about Sentences - Kurdish Jan 15
- Information about Sentences - Lithuanian June 15
- Information about Sentences - Mandarin June 15
- Information about Sentences - Polish June 15
- Information about Sentences - Russian June 15
- Information about Sentences - Turkish June 15
Appeals leaflet and translated versions ▼
People with Learning Disabilities
- People with Learning Disabilities and the Scottish Criminal Justice System
- Practice Guide for Support Staff: People with Communication Support Needs in the Scottish Criminal Justice System
You may find the following "Easy Read" versions of the People with Learning Disabilities and the Criminal Justice System booklet helpful:
Prosecution Policy and Guidance
The Prosecution Policy and Guidance section offers a range of resources in relation to the policy of COPFS on the prosecution procedure. It is divided into six distinct subject areas:
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