The Scottish Government has outlined its legislative priorities for 2012-13, in which Scottish Ministers aim to create a safer and stronger Scotland.
The Scottish Government's priorities for action in 2012-13 are to continue to reduce crime, with particular focus on reducing violent crime, tackling alcohol and drug problems with an emphasis on recovery, reducing reoffending, addressing offending by young people and taking action against hate crime and sectarianism. Ministers will also take forward plans to utilise the further powers on air weapons and drink driving limits devolved under the Scotland Act.
In addition, work will continue to strengthen community engagement and resilience, widen access to justice, enhance the efficiency of the justice system, including transforming civil and administrative justice, and fully support victims of crime.
The Scottish Government intends to pursue its work of reform through the introduction of three Bills in 2012-13: a Victims and Witnesses Bill to put the needs of victims and their families at the heart of the criminal justice system; a Tribunals Bill to establish a new, simplified framework for tribunals; and a Criminal Justice Bill to reform and modernise the system for investigation and prosecution of crime in Scotland.
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