By David Clegg

ONE OF TAYSIDE’S most senior police officers has voiced his support for controversial justice reforms that have seen an increasing number of criminals avoid facing a day in court.

Assistant Chief Constable Clive Murray said the measures— introduced earlier this year—were helping to save police time.

He was responding to figures released by the Lord Advocate which showed an increase in cases being dealt with in sheriff courts across the country.

More than a third of offenders are being dealt with by means other than court, with 37% being offered fiscal fines or compensation orders.

It was also revealed that police are handing out a greater number of on-the-spot fines for minor offences, with the number of reports being passed on to fiscals dropping by 11%.

“We were closely involved in the development and implementation of summary justice reform and it is good to see figures which show that it is delivering real benefits,” said Mr Murray, speaking on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.

“As far as the police service in Scotland is concerned this offers opportunities to reduce paper work and time spent on court appearances for officers.

“We are also seeing the speedier delivery of justice and that is a further welcome development.”

It is believed the changes come as a direct result of a major shake-up of the summary justice system in Scotland introduced to speed up the legal process.

There is more opportunity for procurators fiscal to offer an accused person a “fiscal fine.” Sentencing powers and fine enforcement were also overhauled.

However, the reforms have proved contentious in certain quarters—such as defence lawyers in Dundee.

Speaking earlier this year on behalf of the Bar Association, solicitor George Donnelly said the reduction in case-load was “a matter for concern.”

Mr Donnelly added that it appeared an increasing number of cases were being marked “no proceedings” by the fiscal office.

But area fiscal David Howdle—the region’s top prosecutor—has consistently rejected these claims and insisted the reforms are in the public interest.

His viewpoint has been echoed by the Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini.

On release of the figures she said, “For too long, justice in our summary courts has been delayed and frustrated by the system itself.

“My greatest frustration has been the lack of focus on ensuring that cases which require to go trial do so quickly and are well prepared by all parts of the system.

“It is therefore encouraging to see very positive developments with summary justice reform in delivering swifter and more effective justice in our summary courts.”