What are the alternatives to prosecution?
In some less serious cases, although the Procurator Fiscal may consider that it is in the public interest to take action, prosecution may not be the most appropriate course of action. In those cases there are a number of direct measures available. As a direct measure, offenders may be: • given a warning by the Procurator Fiscal; • given the option of paying a fine; • given the option of paying compensation; • offered the chance of referral for specialist support or treatment. This way, the accused does not have a criminal conviction recorded against their name, members of the public are spared the inconvenience of attending as witnesses, and courts are freed up to spend time dealing with more serious cases.
