Catch up with the latest news.
Tougher Sentences for Dangerous Driving
The UK Government has launched a consultation exercise over plans to introduce life sentences for those found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. Scope of the Consultation Although Scotland has its own criminal justice system, matters relating to road traffic offences and penalties are generally reserved to allow for… Read more ...Report Reveals Fall in Recorded Wildlife Crime
This year’s wildlife crime report has revealed a drop of 20% in recorded crime over the five-year period to 2015. The report brings together data from the Scottish Government, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Police Scotland, and all members of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime Scotland… Read more ...Beltrami & Co. - Criminal Law Firm of the Year 2016
We were delighted to accept the award for Criminal Law Firm of the Year 2016 at the The Law Awards of Scotland last Thursday. This was a consecutive win for the firm in this category, having picked up the award last year too. Congratulations to all at Beltrami & Co. Read more ...UK to Continue Membership of Europol
The UK Government has announced its intention to opt-in to Regulation 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Union agency for law enforcement cooperation (Europol). It explains that the new regulation gives a legal footing to the new framework for Europol and replicates much of… Read more ...Prosecutorial discretion; a view from the ground
Prosecutorial discretion is currently a matter of wide debate before Holyrood's justice committee. Scottish Police Federation general secretary Calum Steele told Holyrood's justice committee on Tuesday "We have got to a stage now in Scotland where couples can't have a row in their house or if they do the police… Read more ...Fall in Number of Domestic Abuse Incidents
According to the figures, there were 58,104 incidents of domestic abuse in 2015/16, compared to 59,882 in 2014/15. In line with statistics from previous years, in 80% of cases the victim was female while 20% were male victims. In half of reported domestic abuse cases, the victim, accused or both… Read more ...Law Firm of the Year Award Win
Beltrami & Co. are delighted to have recently won Law Firm of the Year, Scotland in the Criminal Law category. This accolade was awarded by The Lawyer Internation - Legal 100 - 2016. The firm is also a finalist for Criminal Law Firm of the Year 2016 at the Law… Read more ...Homicide Numbers Fall to Record Low
These findings were contained in the publication, Homicide in Scotland, 2015-16, which provides information on crimes of homicide recorded by the police in Scotland in 2015-16. Key Findings Key statistics revealed by the report include: Between 2014-15 and 2015-16, the number of homicide cases recorded by the police in… Read more ...Scotland to See More Electronic Tagging Sentences
The Scottish Government has announced that it intends to expand the use of electronic tags to help reduce reoffending levels and keep communities safe. According to Justice Secretary Michael Matheson, the move is based on the advice of a panel of experts and international research, and will involve new projects… Read more ...