COPFS direct measure
In some less serious cases, although the Procurator Fiscal may consider that it is in the public interest to take action, prosecution may not be the most appropriate course of action. In those cases there are a number of direct measures available. This way, the accused does not have a criminal conviction recorded against their name, members of the public are spared the inconvenience of attending as witnesses, and courts are freed up to spend time dealing with more serious cases.
More information is available here.
Previous steps
- Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal (COPFS) mark cases
- Reported to other agency e.g. Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration