Search Legislation

Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

57Convictions in other member States of the European Union

This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

(1)The 1995 Act is amended as follows.

(2)In section 101(8) (manner of proving previous conviction in solemn proceedings)—

(a)after the words “section 285” there is inserted “, or as the case may be 286A,”; and

(b)for the words “said section” there is substituted “section in question”.

(3)In section 286 (proof of previous conviction in support of substantive charge), at the end there is added—

(3)The reference in subsection (1)(a) above to “the clerk of court having custody of the record containing the conviction” includes, in relation to a previous conviction by a court in another member State of the European Union, a reference to any officer of that court or of that State having such custody..

(4)After section 286 there is inserted—

286AProof of previous conviction by court in other member State

(1)A previous conviction by a court in another member State of the European Union may be proved against any person in any criminal proceedings by the production of evidence of the conviction and by showing that his fingerprints and those of the person convicted are the fingerprints of the same person.

(2)A certificate—

(a)bearing—

(i)to have been sealed with the official seal of a Minister of the State in question; and

(ii)to contain particulars relating to a conviction extracted from the criminal records of that State; and

(b)including copies of fingerprints and certifying that those copies—

(i)are of fingerprints appearing from those records to have been taken from the person convicted on the occasion of the conviction, or on the occasion of his last conviction; and

(ii)would be admissible in evidence in criminal proceedings in that State as a record of the skin of that person’s fingers,

shall be sufficient evidence of the conviction or, as the case may be, of the person’s last conviction and of all preceding convictions and that the copies of the fingerprints included in the certificate are copies of the fingerprints of the person convicted.

(3)A conviction bearing to have been—

(a)extracted from the criminal records of the State in question; and

(b)issued by an officer of that State whose duties include the issuing of such extracts,

shall be received in evidence without being sworn to by witnesses.

(4)Subsection (9) of section 285 of this Act applies in relation to this section as it does in relation to that section..

(5)In section 307 (interpretation)—

(a)in subsection (1), in the definition of “extract conviction” and “extract of previous conviction”, at the end there is added “and also include a conviction extracted and issued as mentioned in section 286A(3)(a) and (b) of this Act”; and

(b)in subsection (5), at the end there is added except—

(a)where the context otherwise requires; and

(b)in sections 69(2) and 166, where such a reference includes a reference to a previous conviction, by a court in another member State of the European Union, of an act punishable under the law in force in that State (an act so punishable being taken to constitute an offence under that law however described in that law).

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Show Explanatory Notes for Sections: Displays relevant parts of the explanatory notes interweaved within the legislation content.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the Scottish Government to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Acts of the Scottish Parliament except those which result from Budget Bills.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources