Diversion from prosecution scheme

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The Diversion from Prosecution Scheme was introduced to enable procurators fiscal to divert accused persons to social work and other service agencies to be dealt with outside the court system, where it is considered not to be in the public interest to prosecute.

The aims of the service are:

• To provide a disposal which, due to the personal circumstances of the accused is more satisfactory on humanitarian grounds than prosecution
• Through early intervention outwith the courts, to offer a more effective means to prevent the reoccurrence of the alleged offending behaviour.
  

Following a positive assessment of an alleged offender’s suitability for diversion there would normally be a 3 month period of intervention. For this period the procurator fiscal will defer a decision on prosecution pending the outcome of the intervention.

If you need more information please contact us by:

telephone: 0141 889 0617

Alternatively you call in or write to us at:

Court Social Work Team,
Paisley Sheriff Court, St James Street
Paisley, PA3 2HW

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