Injustices caused by law reforms

REFORMS to the prosecution of minor crimes in Scotland may have led to injustices as many offenders cannot understand the new procedures, the Law Society of Scotland has warned.

In a submission to MSPs, the society said a number of legal aid clients had problems with literacy or mental health issues, and could not make an "informed decision" on the direct measures now employed by police and prosecutors.

The Criminal Proceedings etc Act of 2007 allows less serious offences to be dealt with by a fine imposed by the police or the procurator-fiscal.