Scotland’s latest criminal proceedings statistics for 2022-23, published by the Chief Statistician, highlight the justice system’s ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges of addressing case backlogs.
A total of 79,173 people were proceeded against in court during 2022-23, marking a 17% increase from the previous year’s 67,698, while 68,067 individuals were convicted of at least one charge, up 15% from 2021-22.
Convictions rose across nearly all crime categories, with non-sexual crimes of violence up by 23% and sexual crimes increasing by 10%.
The number of rape and attempted rape convictions rose by 17%, reaching 187 compared to 160 the previous year, reflecting a determined effort to address these serious offences.
Under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, convictions climbed 11%, from 690 to 763, underscoring the justice system’s commitment to tackling domestic abuse.
Convictions for crimes involving a statutory domestic abuse aggravation rose slightly to 7,805, demonstrating a sustained focus on protecting vulnerable individuals.
The overall number of convictions rose by 15%, with those leading to custodial sentences increasing by 9%, from 8,186 in 2021-22 to 8,923 in 2022-23.
Custodial sentences accounted for 13% of all convictions, with the average sentence length, excluding life sentences, rising by 3% to 386 days.
Community sentences also saw a 15% rise, with 16,246 individuals receiving this outcome, reflecting a continued emphasis on rehabilitation.
The use of bail orders increased by 11%, with 26,562 orders made compared to 23,901 the year before, indicating a measured approach to pre-trial restrictions.
Police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) employed various measures to handle minor offences, keeping overall police disposals steady at 31,278.
Recorded Police Warnings, mostly for drug offences, threatening behaviour, and common assault, made up 68% of police disposals, maintaining focus on swift, direct resolutions.
COPFS disposals fell by 5% to 30,770, driven by a significant 30% drop in Fiscal Warnings to 3,508.
Fiscal Fixed Penalties also fell by 6% to 11,364, while Fiscal Combined Fines and Compensation Orders rose sharply by 47% to 4,170, reflecting a shift in enforcement priorities.
The statistics reveal a justice system still adapting to post-pandemic pressures while managing increased court activity and evolving crime trends.
Although proceedings remain below pre-pandemic levels, the rise in convictions and longer sentences indicates renewed capacity to address serious offences.
Domestic abuse and sexual crime statistics underline the importance of Scotland’s focus on supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.
The balance between custodial and community sentences highlights a nuanced approach aimed at punishment, rehabilitation, and reducing reoffending.
As the justice system continues to recover, these figures serve as a snapshot of progress, challenges, and the ongoing effort to deliver justice effectively across Scotland.
