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The EU Directorate-General for Justice and Home Affairs has published a green paper on sentencing across the states of Europe in order to determine if ‘national differences regarding criminal penalties are an obstacle to attaining’ the objective of ‘offering its citizens a high level of protection in an area of freedom, security and justice’.
The Commission would like views on matters such as these: if differences in sentencing across member states would result in criminals relocating owing to disparities between the way the offences are defined, prosecuted and punished; the extent to which it might be possible to develop European sentencing guidelines ‘that is to say basic principles for sentencing, without interfering with the courts’ room for discretion?’; the extent to which the divergences between national rules on the procedures for enforcement of custodial penalties be reduced.
The Justice 2 Committee has been briefed on the paper and although will not have time to consider a response in detail in time for the return date for the consultation, it will take evidence from Ministers and officials later in the summer. In the meantime the Executive is seeking the views of key organisations and experts on sentencing in Scotland.
See also
Justice 2 Committee minutes 25.5.4.
Justice 2 Committee: Briefing on Justice and Home Affairs in Europe.
EU: Green Paper on the approximation, mutual recognition and enforcement of criminal sanctions in the European Union (94 pages in .pdf)
Posted by MM on Thu 27th May 2004 at 2:47 pm“Executive ‘failed to act over net threat’: The Scottish Executive was today accused of dragging its heels on moves to outlaw the “grooming” of children by paedophiles over the internet. . .” Evening News
See also
Scottish Parliament: Communities Committee
“Heroin kills 2 a month” Daily Record
“Heroin outbreak warning after 12 Edinburgh deaths” Herald
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“Worse than the 80s according to Heroin addict” Evening News
“Slop out court bill set to hit £500k” Daily Record
“Executive faces £1m legal bill over slopping out ” Scotsman
Posted by MM on Wed 26th May 2004 at 6:44 am“Talks are weapon to fight crime: [. . .] Used carefully and appropriately, restorative justice offers a positive way forward and a real opportunity to address the current imbalances in a criminal justice system that has become beleaguered by criticism and confusion. It is an idea that has been around for a long time, but perhaps it is now an idea whose time has come. . .” Evening News. Opinion
See also
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“A last resort: [. . .] If tagging can give communities respite from young hooligans and allow the authorities to bring them into line, then what is wrong with that? . . .” Evening News. Leader.
See also
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“Bus spy-cams” Daily Record
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“CCTV bid to tackle bus crime is unveiled” Evening Times
Press release
“CCTV gets on the buses for safer journeys” Tayside Police
“CCTV for all Dundee buses” Scot. Exec.
See also
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Posted by MM on Tue 25th May 2004 at 6:58 am“Expert view of TV crime series’ nod to Scots: [. . .] the Forensic Medicine Archives Project (FMAP), will be launched at a forum on Friday . . .” Evening Times
See also
Forensic Medicine Archives Project
Posted by MM on Mon 24th May 2004 at 4:14 pmPress release
“Increased funding for drug services: Above inflation rises for drug treatment projects right across Scotland have been confirmed today, bringing support to £19.75 million for 2004-05. . .” Scot. Exec.
Posted by MM on Mon 24th May 2004 at 4:07 pm