PART 1

SENTENCING

Short sentences

Presumption against short periods of imprisonment
17
In section 204 of the 1995 Act (restrictions on passing sentence of imprisonment or detention), after subsection (3) insert—
3A
A court must not pass a sentence of imprisonment for a term of 3 months or less on a person unless the court considers that no other method of dealing with the person is appropriate.
3B
Where a court passes such a sentence, the court must—
a
state its reasons for the opinion that no other method of dealing with the person is appropriate, and
b
have those reasons entered in the record of the proceedings.
3C
The Scottish Ministers may by order made by statutory instrument substitute for the number of months for the time being specified in subsection (3A) another number of months.
3D
An order under subsection (3C) is not to be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the order has been laid before and approved by resolution of the Scottish Parliament.
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