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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Scottish ministers consider fines for assaults and drugs possession Simon Johnson The Telegraph Wednesday 25 Nov 2009 A review of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for anti-social behaviour has found more than 65,000 criminals over the past two years escaped a criminal record by paying a fine. The system has been used most commonly for dealing with low-grade offences, such as urinating in public and breach of the peace, but the Scottish Executive report recommended considering extending it. It suggested fines could be used to punish possession of small amounts of cannabis, "minor’ thefts and "minor" assaults, as well as offences dealt with by transport and military police. The review found FPNs are "proportionate" punishments for certain offences, save the justice system time and money and may have a deterrent effect thanks to their high visibility. But opposition parties said they were concerned at fines being used to punish violent crimes. Bill Aitken, Scottish Tory justice spokesman, said: "There are very real dangers now that really serious matters are being treated like parking tickets. "This has gone far enough and whilst there is value in fixed penalty schemes, there’s little to suggest they act as a deterrent." Richard Baker, Scottish Labour justice spokesman, said: "There’s already been some disquiet about the sheer number of FPNs and I don’t think people will be content about them being levied for assaults." The system, introduced by 2004 anti-social behaviour legislation, allows fines to be levied for offences ranging from vandalism to being drunk in charge of a child. They can be offered on the spot and, if paid, no further action is taken and the offender avoids a criminal record. According to the review, the system was used 65,490 times between April 2007 and March 2009, with 94 per cent issued for breach of the peace, drinking in public and urinating or defecating in public. Some officers interviewed by the review said FPNs had been handed to people who would have previously been warned or ignored, but others said fines do not have the same “negative, long-lasting” deterrent effect. As a conservative estimate, the report said the system saves police almost 22,000 hours per year, but 70 per cent of officers who responded said it should not be used for being drunk in charge of a child, as this was too serious an offence. However, asked what should be punishable with an FPN, 83 per cent of respondents said possession of personal amounts of cannabis and possession of alcohol by someone under 16. Among the other offences that won support for being added to the FPN list were minor shoplifting (75 per cent), fireworks offences (65 per cent) and minor assaults (61 per cent). Scottish ministers confirmed they are to consult on what changes to make. Fergus Ewing, community safety minister, said: “We want to ensure that there is swift and visible justice for those who commit acts of anti-social behaviour in our communities and they pay up for their unacceptable actions, while those committing more serious crimes have to answer to the courts." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/scotland/6655375/Scottish-ministers-consider-fines-for-assaults-and-drugs-possession.html
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