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McSporrans criminal solicitors' latest news on all aspects of criminal & road traffic law.
McSporrans Criminal Defence Lawyers

Calls for Repeal of Offensive Behaviour at Football Act

MSPs have called on the Scottish Government to repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012, claiming that is badly written and unnecessary, reports the BBC.

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Fall in Number of Domestic Abuse Incidents

Figures published recently by Police Scotland have revealed a 3% fall in the number of domestic abuse incidents reported to the police compared to the previous year.

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Rise in Counterfeit Goods Seized by EU Authorities

There has been an increase of around five million in the number of counterfeit items seized by customs authorities across the EU in 2015, according to new figures by the European Commission.

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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.

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Arrests Made after ‘Legal High’ Ban

Three months after the introduction of the Psychoactive Substances Act, figures have revealed that 332 retailers are no longer selling psychoactive substances and many arrests have been made.

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Drivers Warned of Consequences of Unpaid Fines

Drivers who fail to pay their fines run the risk of their vehicles being clamped, taken into storage and ultimately scrapped or sold off, according to a warning from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS).

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Increase in Cars Seized from Uninsured Drivers

Efforts by police to crackdown on uninsured driving have led to a 4% increase in the number of seizures of uninsured vehicles, figures from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) have revealed.

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Many Drivers Risk Using a Smartphone While Driving

More than half of drivers in the 25 – 34 age-group are risking getting charged with motoring offences for texting, using apps or going online on their mobiles when they are behind the wheel, according to a new study by road safety charity Brake.

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Calls for Review of the UK’s Hate Crime Strategy

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has called for a full-scale review of the UK’s hate crime laws and strategies as part of a new national drive to defeat the rise in race hate crime.

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Calls for Tougher Penalties for Criminal Drivers

New research by road safety charity Brake has apparently found strong support for strengthening both the charges and sentences faced by criminal drivers.

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Human Trafficking Laws Come into Force

New legal measures designed to tackle human trafficking and improve support for victims came into force in Scotland on 31st May 2016.

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COPFS Reports on Hate Crime in Scotland

The Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has recently published a report entitled Hate Crime in Scotland 2015-16.

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Sex Crimes on the Rise across the UK

There were more than 100,000 sexual assaults across the UK in the last year according to official statistics on criminal offences.
 
The new figure marks the first occasion that the number of sexual offences has reached such a landmark with an increase of 29% compared to the figures from the same period last year. However, the police are insisting that the number of offences is due to the victims of such attacks being more willing to come forward rather than a decrease in the standard of policing. This sentiment was echoed by the Office of National Statistics.
 

Record Year for Sexual Offences

 
While the figures only take into account data from England and Wales, previous reports from Police Scotland have indicated that the number of sexual offences has also risen in the country, implying that a rise in such offences is widespread throughout the UK.
 
Figures indicate that the number of rapes stood at 34,741 and that there were 68,873 other types of sexual offences, making 103,614 total offences. The figure also means that the number of rapes across the UK is now at the highest level since records began.
 
As well as an increase in the number of sexual offences, there was an 11% rise in homicides and a 27% rise in the number of violent crimes seen across the UK. Firearm offences also increased by 4% with police stating that this was mainly due to an 18% rise in imitation crimes.

Contact Us

 
If you have been charged with a criminal offence, our team of solicitors can help you get the legal advice and representation you need. Our staff have experience in dealing with criminal offences, assaults and numerous other crimes. A strong criminal offence can make all the difference following a charge. To find out how we can help, contact our team today using our online contact form
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Elaine Doyle Murder: John Docherty Can Appeal Without Any Limitations

The Court of Criminal Appeal has granted John Docherty the right to appeal against his conviction of the murder of Elaine Doyle.

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McSporrans Criminal Defence Lawyers

Scotland’s Drink Driving Limit to Change

Scotland is to lower the drink driving limit in a move that will see the limit vary from the rest of the UK. The move will bring Scotland’s limit to similar standards to that seen in Europe.

The UK has the second highest drink driving limit in Europe, second only to Malta. Under new rules in Scotland the limit for a breathalyzer test has been lowered from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath to 22 micrograms per 100 ml. In regards to blood samples, the limit has been reduced to 50 milligrams per 100 ml from 80 milligrams.

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Double Jeopardy in Scots Law - Why was Angus Sinclair tried twice?

37 years after their bodies were discovered in East Lothian, Angus Sinclair has been convicted of the rape and murder of Helen Scott and Christine Eadie at the High Court in Livingston.  This was the first prosecution raised in Scotland following a change in the law relating to ‘double jeopardy’.

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UK To Debate On European Arrest Warrants

The UK Government’s current attitude toward European membership could lead to the country becoming a prime holiday destination for fugitives. MP’s have failed to endorse the country’s participation in the European arrest warrant (EAW) in a forthcoming parliamentary vote, which has concerned leading legal and law enforcement figures.

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Posting Revenge Pornography to Become a Criminal Offence in Scotland

The Scottish Government plan to introduce legislation to tackle the practice of ‘revenge pornography’ – where a former partner posts explicit images of another online without their consent.

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Changes to criminal justice system

A raft of measures aimed at improving the criminal justice system have been outlined in the newly published Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill.

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McSporrans Criminal Defence Lawyers

Football banning orders for Hamilton disturbance

Six football fans were sentenced at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week for the parts they played in a disturbance in Hamilton town centre prior to the Hamilton v Falkirk football match on 5th January 2012. Four were served Football Banning Orders ranging from 12 to 22 months.

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McSporrans Criminal Lawyers Edinburgh Scotland