Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995

49 Reference or remit to children’s hearing. S

(1) Where a child who is not subject to a supervision requirement pleads guilty to, or is found guilty of, an offence the court—

(a) instead of making an order on that plea or finding, may remit the case to the Principal Reporter to arrange for the disposal of the case by a children’s hearing; or

(b) on that plea or finding may request the Principal Reporter to arrange a children’s hearing for the purposes of obtaining their advice as to the treatment of the child.

(2) Where a court has acted in pursuance of paragraph (b) of subsection (1) above, the court, after consideration of the advice received from the children’s hearing may, as it thinks proper, itself dispose of the case or remit the case as mentioned in paragraph (a) of that subsection.

(3) Where a child who is subject to a supervision requirement pleads guilty to, or is found guilty of, an offence the court dealing with the case if it is—

(a) the High Court, may; and

(b) the sheriff [F1 or district] court, shall,

request the Principal Reporter to arrange a children’s hearing for the purpose of obtaining their advice as to the treatment of the child, and on consideration of that advice may, as it thinks proper, itself dispose of the case or remit the case as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above [F2 except that where [F3 section 51A of the Firearms Act 1968 or section 29 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 applies] it shall itself dispose of the case] .

(4) [F4 Subject to any appeal against any decision to remit made under subsection (1)(a) above or (7)(b) below,] where a court has remitted a case to the Principal Reporter under this section, the jurisdiction of the court in respect of the child shall cease, and his case shall stand referred to a children’s hearing.

(5) Nothing in this section shall apply to a case in respect of an offence the sentence for which is fixed by law.

(6) Where a person who is—

(a) not subject to a supervision requirement;

(b) over the age of 16; and

(c) not within six months of attaining the age of 18,

is charged summarily with an offence and pleads guilty to, or has been found guilty of, the offence the court may request the Principal Reporter to arrange a children’s hearing for the purpose of obtaining their advice as to the treatment of the person.

(7) On consideration of any advice obtained under subsection (6) above, the court may, as it thinks proper—

(a) itself dispose of the case; or

(b) where the hearing have so advised, remit the case to the Principal Reporter for the disposal of the case by a children’s hearing.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 49(3)(b) inserted (30.9.1998) by 1998 c. 37, s. 119, Sch. 8 para. 118; S.I. 1998/2327, art. 2(1)(y)(2)(kk)

F2 Words in s. 49(3) inserted (22.1.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 290(2), 336; S.I. 2004/81, art. 3(2)(b)

F3 Words in s. 49(3) substituted (6.4.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 49, 66(2), Sch. 1 para. 4(2); S.I. 2007/858, art. 2(g)

F4 Words in s. 49(4) inserted (1.8.1997) by 1997 c. 48, s. 23(a); S.I. 1997/1712, art. 3, Sch. (subject to arts. 4, 5)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 49(3): power to amend conferred (22.1.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 291(1)(c), 336; S.I. 2004/81, art. 3(2)(b)