Almost a third of rejected fiscal fines saw no further action, figures show
The fines are offered to those accused of minor crimes (Jane Barlow/PA)
Nearly one third of all fiscal fines handed out by prosecutors that were rejected resulted in no further action, new figures show.
Fiscal fines can be imposed on people charged with minor offences – usually in amounts smaller than £300 – but do not constitute an admission of guilt and are not recorded as a conviction.
However, the accused can reject the offer of a fine in favour of prosecution.
In the past three years, 30% of rejected offers of fiscal fines have resulted in no further action from prosecutors, a freedom of information request from the Scottish Conservatives has found.