LAWYER groups have backed early resolutions for less serious criminal cases to help clear a three-year trial backlog which has built up during the pandemic. Sheriff Court summary criminal cases, where a sheriff hears a case sitting alone without a jury, widely resumed in Scotland yesterday after being largely suspended for more than three months. Under summary trials, the maximum jail term is 12 months and the biggest fine is £10,000. David Fisken, the vice president of the Glasgow Bar Association, warned there was a theoretical danger of people accused of crimes pleading guilty because they could spend longer on remand than any custodial sentence they may receive.
Sheriff courts reopened on Monday with Covid safety measures in place (Andrew Milligan/PA)
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Lawyers groups have backed early resolutions for less serious criminal cases to help clear a three-year trial backlog which has built up during the pandemic.
Sheriff Court summary criminal cases, where a sheriff hears a case sitting alone without a jury, widely resumed in Scotland on Monday after being largely suspended for more than three months.
Early resolution for summary cases could ease sheriff court backlog, say lawyers eveningtelegraph.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from eveningtelegraph.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.