http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2003/7/introduction/2014-08-13Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003An Act of the Scottish Parliament to make provision in relation to criminal justice, criminal procedure and evidence in criminal proceedings; to make provision as to the arrest, sentencing, custody and release of offenders and the obtaining of reports in relation to offenders; to make provision for the provision of assistance by local authorities to persons who are arrested and are in police custody or who are subject to a deferred sentence and for the making of grants to local authorities exercising jointly certain functions in relation to offenders and other persons; to make provision for the protection of the public at large from persons with a propensity to commit certain offences and for the establishment of the Risk Management Authority; to make provision for the granting of certain rights to the victims of crime; to make provision as to the jurisdiction of courts and the designation of certain courts as drugs courts; to make provision in relation to the physical punishment of children; to create offences in connection with traffic in prostitution or for purposes connected with pornography; to make provision as to the criminal law as it relates to bribery and the acceptance of bribes; to make provision in relation to criminal legal assistance; to require the aggravation of an offence by religious prejudice to be taken into account in sentencing; to make provision as respects police ranks and the powers and duties of certain civilians employed by police authorities; to make provision for the disqualification of convicted persons from jury service in both criminal and civil proceedings and for the separation of juries after retiral; to make provision for the use of live television links between prisons and courts; to make provision in relation to warrants to search; to amend Part V of the Police Act 1997 in its application to Scotland; to make provision in relation to the prohibition of certain matters in respect of cases referred to the Principal Reporter; to amend the law relating to penalties for wildlife offences; and for connected purposes.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2025-07-21Expert Participation2014-08-13 Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 20032003 asp 7An Act of the Scottish Parliament to make provision in relation to criminal justice, criminal procedure and evidence in criminal proceedings; to make provision as to the arrest, sentencing, custody and release of offenders and the obtaining of reports in relation to offenders; to make provision for the provision of assistance by local authorities to persons who are arrested and are in police custody or who are subject to a deferred sentence and for the making of grants to local authorities exercising jointly certain functions in relation to offenders and other persons; to make provision for the protection of the public at large from persons with a propensity to commit certain offences and for the establishment of the Risk Management Authority; to make provision for the granting of certain rights to the victims of crime; to make provision as to the jurisdiction of courts and the designation of certain courts as drugs courts; to make provision in relation to the physical punishment of children; to create offences in connection with traffic in prostitution or for purposes connected with pornography; to make provision as to the criminal law as it relates to bribery and the acceptance of bribes; to make provision in relation to criminal legal assistance; to require the aggravation of an offence by religious prejudice to be taken into account in sentencing; to make provision as respects police ranks and the powers and duties of certain civilians employed by police authorities; to make provision for the disqualification of convicted persons from jury service in both criminal and civil proceedings and for the separation of juries after retiral; to make provision for the use of live television links between prisons and courts; to make provision in relation to warrants to search; to amend Part V of the Police Act 1997 in its application to Scotland; to make provision in relation to the prohibition of certain matters in respect of cases referred to the Principal Reporter; to amend the law relating to penalties for wildlife offences; and for connected purposes.The Bill for this Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed by the Parliament on 20th February 2003 and received Royal Assent on 26th March 2003