Offences specified for vicims' rights
20 Oct 04
Order specifies offences for which victims can be told of offender's release
An order has been laid before the Scottish Parliament specifying the offences the victims of which will be entitled to request certain information relating to the offender. The order comes into force from 1 November.
Under section 16 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003, victims of crime, where the offender is sentenced to at least four years, can choose to be told when the offender is released from custody, becomes entitled to temporary release, is transferred, escapes, or dies in custody. Partners and close relatives qualify where the victim has died.
The new order specifies the crimes to which the right applies. Most types of crime are included. The first three categories specified are non-sexual violence from assault through to murder; sexual violence or indecency including rape, indecent assault, lewd practices and unlawful intercourse; and various firearms offences. These are followed by housebreaking; racial or religious hate crimes; causing death by dangerous driving or when driving with excess alcohol; breach of the peace; extortion; fireraising; and threats.
Attempts to commit any of these crimes are also listed, as are aiding and abetting, conspiracy and incitement.