Alleged offenders

If you are charged with an offence you may be expected to appear in Court. Most alleged offenders appear before the Sheriff Court or the Justice of the Peace Court. If you are charged with a serious offence such as murder, you will appear in the High Court of Justiciary

You may not appear before the Court if the Procurator Fiscal decides formal proceedings are not necessary.  It can happen when the offence is minor, or if the alleged offender is young or a first offender.  This means the case is diverted from prosecution.

Courts may decide that instead of remanding a person in custody while court proceedings are going on, they will place them on bail supervision.

Court social workers are available in all the Edinburgh Courts and can provide advice and assistance to people appearing in court, and their families, before and after court proceedings.

Further information

Get advice on domestic abuse - help for people being abused and programmes for men

Find out what services are available for people with drug and alcohol problems 

Get information on what services are available for young people involved in offending  

Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service provides information on how the prosecution system works