Welcome to the Police legislation section.

Your guide to commonly used Offences and Police Powers in Scotland.

Abandoned Vehicles
Alcohol at Sporting Events
Arrest of Young Persons
Assault
Bail
Betting and Gaming
Breach of the Peace
Crossbows
Cruelty to persons under 16
Dangerous and Careless Driving
Dogs including (Dangerous Dogs)
Driving Licenses
Drunk and Incapable
Drugs
Excise Licenses
Firearms
Fraud
Gaming Machines
Indecent Exposure
Liquor Licensing
Malicious Mischief
Matrimonial
Offensive Weapons
Public Order
Reset
Road Traffic
Robbery
Theft
Urinating/Defecating
Vandalism

A  (Back to index)

Abandoned Vehicles

Source: Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 s.2(1)(a)

Offence: It is an offence for any person, without lawful authority, to abandon on any land in the open air, or on any land forming part of a highway.

a) a motor vehicle

b) anything which formed part of a motor vehicle and removed from it in the course of dismantling. 

Notes:
If the vehicle is left in such circumstances or for such a period that it may be reasonably assumed to have been abandoned, then the vehicle shall be deemed to be abandoned unless proved contrary.

Alcohol at Sporting Events

Source: The Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995.     (Go to the Act)

These provisions are embodied in the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 which makes it unlawful to be in possession of alcohol, be drunk, or possess fireworks, etc at major football and rugby matches. Local instructions will detail any other grounds or matches, which have been designated.

Offences re public transport Section 19(1) of the Act creates an offence for any person to be drunk, or be in possession of alcohol, whilst on a public service vehicle or passenger train which is being principally used for carrying passengers to or from a designated sporting event.

It is also an offence for the hirer, operator or operator's employee to permit alcohol to be carried on such a public service vehicle.

Offences at designated sporting events
Sections 20(1) to 20(8) of the Act create offences for any person to be within, or attempt to enter, the relevant area of a designated sports ground during the period of a designated sporting event if they are: -

1) in possession of a controlled container, or
2) in possession of any alcohol, or
3) in possession of any firework or smoke flare, etc, or
4) drunk

Section 21 of the Act provides that a constable may:-
1) stop and search vehicles if Section 19 offences are suspected
2) enter any designated sports ground during the period of a designated sporting event
3) search any person reasonably suspected of committing an offence against Sections 19 to 20(8) of the Act 4) seize any container (and its contents) if it is reasonably suspected of containing alcohol, or if it is a controlled container
5) seize any fireworks, etc
6) arrest any person whom they have reasonable cause to suspect has committed an offence against Sections 19 to 20(8) of the Act

Definition of controlled container
A "controlled container" means a container of any description which"-
a) Is, or was, capable of holding any liquid; and
b) Is made from a material which, if the container were to be thrown or propelled at a person, could cause injury to that person
The "period of designated sporting event" commences two hours before the start, or advertised start, and is concluded one hour after the end of the event" This applies to an advertised event even if it is subsequently postponed or cancelled.

Arrest of Young Persons

Source: Criminal Procedure ( Scotland ) Act 1995  (Go to the Act)

Arrest of persons under 16 years of age

Criminal responsibility

A child under the age of eight years cannot be guilty of a crime or offence in Scotland .

Where a person under 16 years of age is arrested without warrant and cannot be brought before a sheriff forthwith then:

1) A police officer of or above the rank of Inspector, or the officer in charge of the police station to which the child is brought shall enquire into the case and shall liberate the child on a written undertaking, signed by the child or their parent or guardian, to attend at a hearing of the case certified by the officer unless:-

A) The charge is homicide or other grave crime, or

B) It is necessary to remove the child from associating with reputed criminals or prostitutes, or

C) There is reason to believe their release would defeat the ends of Justice; then they may be detained in a place of safety other than a police office until they are brought before a sheriff.

However, if the officer certifies that: -

1) It is impracticable to detain them in such a place of safety, or

2) The child is so unruly of character that they cannot be safely detained in a place of safety, or

Assault

Source: Common Law

Offence: To direct an attack to take effect physically on the person of another, whether or not actual injury is inflicted.

Arrest: Common law power of arrest.

Notes: There must be criminal intent, an accidental injury does not amount to assault. It is not however necessary that the attack should take effect. An assault can be direct or indirect, e.g. setting a dog at another person. It is also assault to be violently menacing. Threatening gestures inducing a state of bodily fear are an example. An assault may be aggravated by intent; mode of perpetration (e.g. use of a weapon), extent of injury, place of assault, or the character of the person assaulted (e.g. a pregnant woman). Indecent assault is an assault accompanied by indecent intent. In certain cases an assault may be justified by showing that it was done under the authority of the law; in defence of others or in self-defence.

B  (Back to index)

Bail      (Go to the Act)
Source: Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, Section 27.

Offence:
Section 27 - It is offence for an accused who has been granted bail to fail, without reasonable excuse to:
i) appear at the time and place appointed for any (court) diet of which they have been given due notice; or
ii) comply with any other condition imposed on bail.

Powers:
A constable may arrest without warrant, an accused who has been released on bail, if he has reasonable grounds for suspecting that the accused has broken, is breaking, or is likely to break any condition imposed on their bail. Section 28.

Betting and Gaming

Source: Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963

A bookmaker is a person, who by way of business, receives bets and is in a position to negotiate the odds. The bookmaker must hold a permit, which must be produced at the request of a constable.

Section 10 -failing to quit a licensed betting office The licensee or any servant or agent thereof may refuse to admit to, or may expel from, the licensed premises any person who is: -
1) Drunk
2) Violent
3) Quarrelsome or disorderly, and if any person liable to be expelled from the licensed premises under this section, when requested by the licensee
4) Any servant or agent of the licensee or any constable to leave those premises, fails to do so, commits an offence.

Offence:
Section 21 - Young persons
It is an offence to have a betting transaction with, to employ to effect betting transactions, or to receive or negotiate a bet through, a person under the age of 18.

Breach of the Peace

Source: Common Law 

Offence: "When one or more persons conduct themselves in a riotous, or disorderly manner, anywhere, which alarms, annoys or disturbs the lieges (other people).

Arrest: Common law powers of arrest.

Notes:
This offence can take place anywhere i.e. a house, a public street or a private office.

Riotous:
There is normally an element of noise, or 'rowdiness' or 'brawling' which is clearly causing concern to other members of the public e.g. swearing, challenging people to fight.

Disorderly:
There is a more subtle element. The behaviour doesn't have to be noisy but still of a nature that would cause concern to other people. Examples include: 'Peeping Tom' type behaviour, persistently following someone, delivering 'threatening' letters and 'streaking' or 'mooning'.

To prove a Breach of the Peace the most important things to prove is that someone was Alarmed, Annoyed or Disturbed by the incident.

C  (Back to index)

Crossbows

Source: Crossbows Act 1987

Offence:
Section 1 - (Sale): It is an offence for any person to sell or let on hire a crossbow or part of a crossbow to a person under the age of 17.

Section 2 - (Purchase): It is an offence for any person under the age of 17 to buy or hire a crossbow or part of a crossbow.

Section 3 - (Possession): It is an offence for any person under the age of 17 to have with him a crossbow which is capable of discharging a missile, or parts of a crossbow which together can be assembled to form a crossbow capable of discharging a missile.

Cruelty to Persons Under 16

Source: Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937

Offence: Section 12(1)

If any person who has attained the age of sixteen years and has the custody, charge, or care of any child or young person under that age, wilfully assaults, ill-treats, neglects, abandons, or exposes them, or causes or procures them to be assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, abandoned, or exposed, in a manner likely to cause them unnecessary suffering or injury to health (including injury to or loss of sight, or hearing, or limb, or organ of the body, and any mental derangement), that person shall be guilty of an offence,

D  (Back to index)

Dangerous and Careless Driving/Riding    (Go to the Act)    Endorsements And Disqualifications 

1) Cause death by dangerous driving.

Source: Road Traffic Act 1988 Section 1

Offence: It is an offence for a person to cause the death of another person by driving a mechanically propelled vehicle dangerously on a road or any other public place.

2) Dangerous driving.

Source: Road Traffic Act 1988 Section 2

Offence: It is an offence for a person to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle dangerously on a road or any other public place.

3) Driving without due care and attention.

Source: Road Traffic Act 1988 Section 3

Offence: It is an offence for a person to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or any other public place:

i) without the due care and attention, or
ii) without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road or public place.

4) Dangerous cycling.

Source: Road Traffic Act 1988 Section 28

Offence: It is an offence for a person to ride a cycle on a road dangerously.

5) Cycling without due care and attention.

Source: Road Traffic Act 1988 Section 29

Offence: It is an offence for a person to ride a cycle on a road without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road.

6) Refusing, or giving false name and address.

Source: Road Traffic Act 1988 Section 168

Offence: It is an offence for a person who is:
i) the driver of a mechanically propelled vehicle who is alleged to have committed an offence under s.2 or s.3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988; or

ii) the rider of a cycle who is alleged to have committed an offence under s.28 or s.29.

to refuse, on being required by any person having reasonable grounds for so requiring, to give his name and address, or give a false name or address.

Powers: Section 1 offence is an arrestable offence. The remaining offences are normally by way of summons.

A person driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road must stop the vehicle to do so by a constable in uniform. Section 163, Road Traffic Act 1988.

A person driving a motor vehicle on a road or who, a constable has reasonable cause to believe to have committed an offence in relation to the use of that motor vehicle on a road must, on being required by a constable, produce his licence so as to enable the constable to ascertain the name and address of the holder. Section 164 (1),  Road Traffic Act 1988.

A person required by a constable to produce his licence must, on being so required by the constable, state his date of birth. Section 164 (2),  Road Traffic Act 1988.

Driving Licences

Source: Section 87 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (Go to the Act)

Creates an offence for any person to drive, or cause or permit another person to drive, any class of motor vehicle on a road otherwise than in accordance with a licence authorising them to drive a motor vehicle of that class.

Vehicle classification for driving licences

Provisional motorcycle licence -minimum age 17 years
Must obtain: -
1) Basic training (from authorised training body), and
2) Certificate of completion of basic training before use on a road

Limitations of provisional motorcycle licence

Motorcycles without sidecars: -
1) Not exceeding 125cc or maximum power output of 11kW
2) No passengers

 Motorcycles with sidecars: -
1) Not exceeding power to weight ratio of 0.16kw per kg
2) No passengers

Must take and pass test within 2 years - if not, licence lapses for 1 year.

Provisional licence holders 21 years or over have the option to enter a Direct Access Scheme, which authorises the use of an unrestricted motorcycle on the road.

Conditions: -
1) No passengers, and
2) Must be accompanied (on another motorcycle) by a certified motorcycle in radio contact.

Full motorcycle driving licence
Full motorcycle entitlement authorises: -
1) Pillion passengers to be carried
2) Higher cc/power output than provisional restrictions depending on class of entitlement
3) Automatic full moped entitlement

Note: -
Persons holding full Class A entitlement are limited to motorcycles with a maximum power output of 25kw or a power to weight ratio of 0.16kw per kg for a period of two years unless if over 21 years, they take a further test.

Provisional car licence
If aged 17 years (persons in receipt of a mobility allowance for disability may drive a motor car at 16 years), It authorises.

1) Automatic provisional entitlement
2) Provisional motorcycle entitlement (only if requested)

Full car licence
Full car entitlement also authorises: -
1) Full moped entitlement
2) Provisional motorcycle entitlement

Conditions of a provisional licence
A provisional licence holder may drive a vehicle of the appropriate category only if they comply with the following conditions: -
1) L plates must be fitted
2) Must not draw a trailer (except agricultural tractors or articulated vehicles)
3) Must be under supervision of qualified driver for that category of vehicle (except motorcycles and mopeds)
4) Must not drive on a motorway (except categories C and D)

When a provisional licence holder passes the appropriate test, they are issued with a certificate of competence. This permits them to drive the relevant category of vehicle without the above restrictions but does not entitle them to supervise other provisional licence holders.

Supervision of a provisional licence holder
A full driving licence holder may only supervise a learner driver provided the holder is: -
1) 21 years of age and over
2) Has held a full licence for 3 years for that category of vehicle

Drunk and Incapable

Source: Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, Section 50

Offence: (sub-sections)
(1) Any person who, while not in the care or protection of a suitable person, is, in a public place, drunk and incapable of taking care of himself shall be guilty of an offence, and liable on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £50.

(2) Any person who is drunk in a public place while in charge of a child under the age of 10 shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £50.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) above, if a child appears to the court to be under the age of 10, the child shall be deemed to be under that age unless the contrary is proved.

(4) A constable may arrest a person for contravening sub-section (2) above if he has reasonable cause to believe that the child in the charge of that person is under the age of 10.

(5) Any person who is drunk in a public place while in possession of a firearm (including a crossbow, airgun, air rifle or air pistol) shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £50.

(6) In this section, "public place" has the same meaning as in Section 133 of this Act but includes-
a) any place to which at the material time the public are permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise; and
b) any public conveyance other than a taxi or hire car within the meaning of section 23 of this Act.

Section 133 - Public Place
"public place" means any place (whether a thoroughfare or not) to which the public have unrestricted access and includes-
a) the doorways or entrances of premises abutting on any such place; and
b) any common passage, close, court, stair, garden or yard pertinent to any tenement or group pf seperately owned houses.

Dogs

Source: Dogs Act 1871

Offence: Section 2

This creates an offence for any person to keep a dog which is dangerous and not kept under proper control. The main purpose of this offence is to enable the courts to order that the dog be kept under control, or be destroyed. The controls of this section are not just limited to public places, but also to private places, if the public at the time have right of access.

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (Go to the Act)

Section 1 applies to the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentina and Fila Brazlliero.

Section 1(2) creates an offence to.-
a) breed or breed from a Section 1 dog
b) sell or exchange such a dog or offer/advertise/expose such a dog for sale or exchange
c) gift or offer to gift or advertise/expose such a dog as a gift .allow such a dog to be in a public place without being muzzled and on a lead
d) abandon such a dog or allow it to stray, being the owner or for the time being in charge

Section 1(3) creates the offence of having a specially controlled dog from 30 November 1991, unless it is being held as a result of seizure, destruction order, or is exempted under the Act,

To be exempted under the Act, the following conditions must be met: -
a) the police have been notified
b) the dog has been spayed or neutered
c) it has been permanently identified with a tattoo and implanted transponder
d) third party insurance is in force
e) a fee has been paid
f) certificate of exemption has been issued
g) all the requirements of the certificate have been complied with

The following conditions must be observed for the exemption to remain valid: -
a) the dog is kept in secure conditions at home and is unable to escape
b) the dog is kept secure in public, i.e. muzzled and on a lead (held by someone aged 16 or over)
c) the dog's keeper must show the police or local authority dog warden on request, the certificate of exemption (within 5 days of request) , display the dog's tattoo and allow the transponder to be read
d) third party insurance must be kept valid
e) the keeper must inform the Index of Exempted Dogs of any change of address at which the dog is kept for more than thirty days
f) the keeper must notify the relevant agencies of the death or export of the dog

Dogs dangerously out of control
Section 3(1) creates an offence for the owner/person in charge to allow any dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place,

Section 3(3) creates an offence for the owner/person in charge to allow a dog to enter a private place where it is not permitted to be and while there it injures any person or there are grounds for reasonable apprehension that it will do so.

Powers of seizure Section 5 gives authority to a constable or local authority dog warden to seize a dog in a public place if it appears the dog is a Section 1 dog and does not comply with exempted conditions or it is a dog which appears dangerously out of control,

Additional legislation
The Guard Dogs Act 1975 covers the use of guard dogs on commercial premises, The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 deals with worrying of livestock on agricultural land.

Drugs

Exporting

Source: The Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971. Section 3.

Offence: It is an offence for any person to import or to export a controlled drug.

Powers: Arrestable offence.

Produce

Source: The Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971. Section 4(2).

Offence: It is an offence for a person to produce controlled drug.

Powers: Arrestable offence.

Supply

Source: The Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971. Section 4(3).

Offence: It is an offence for a person:

A) to supply or offer to supply a controlled drug to another; or

B) to be concerned in the supplying of such a drug to another; or

C) to be concerned in the making to another of an offer to supply such a drug.

Powers: Arrestable offence.

Possession

Source: The Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971. Section 5(2).

Offence: It is an offence for a person to have a controlled drug in their possession.

Powers: Arrestable offence. If possession is of a Class C drug then proceeding should be by way of a summons.

Possession with intent to supply

Source: The Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971. Section 5(3).

Offence: It is an offence for a person to have a controlled drug in their posession, whether lawful or not, with intent to supply it to another.

Powers: Arrestable offence.

Cultivate cannabis

Source: The Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971. Section 6.

Offence: It is an offence for a person to cultivate any plant of the genus cannabis.

Powers: Arrestable offence.

Occupier/management

Source: The Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971. Section 8.

Offence: It is an offence for a person, being the occupier or concerned in the management of any premises, to knowingly permit or suffer any

A) production or attempted production of a controlled drug;
B) supply, attempt to supply or offer to supply, of a controlled drug;
C) preparation of opium for smoking;
D) smoking of cannabis, cannabis resin or prepared opium.

Powers: Arrestable offence.

Smoking Opium

Source: The Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971. Section 9.

Offence: It is an offence for a person:

A) to smoke or otherwise use prepared opium; or
B) to frequent a place used for the purpose of opium smoking; or
C) to have in their possession:

1) any pipes or other utensils made or adapted for use in connection with the smoking of opium, being pipes or utensils which have been used by him or with his knowledge and permission in that connection or which he intends to use or permit another to use in that connection; or

2) any utensils which have been used by him or with his knowledge and permission in connection with the preparation of opium for smoking.

Powers: Arrestable offence.

Supply or offer to supply article

Source: The Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971. Section 9A.

Offence: It is an offence for a person to supply or offer to supply any article which may be used or adapted to be used in the administration by any person of a controlled drug to himself or another; or which may be used to prepare a controlled drug for administration by any person to himself or another believing that the article is to be so used in circumstances where the administration is unlawful.

Powers: Proceedings should normally be by way of a summons.

E  (Back to index)

Excise Licences    (Go to the Act)

1) Source: Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 Section 29(1) 

Offence: It is an offence for a person to use or keep, on a public road a vehicle (not being an exempt vehicle) which is unlicensed.

2) Source: Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 Section 33(1)

Offence: It is an offence for a person to use or keep, on a public road a vehicle in respect of which vehicle excise duty is chargeable, and there is not fixed to and exhibited on the vehicle in the manner prescribed a licence for, or in respect of, the vehicle which is for the time being in force.

3) Source: Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 Section 37(1)

Offence: It is an offence where

i) a vehicle licence has been taken out for a vehicle at any rate of vehicle excise duty,
ii) at any time while the licence is in force the vehicle is so used that duty at a higher rate becomes chargeable in respect of the license for the vehicle, and
iii) duty at that higher rate is not paid before the vehicle was so used.

4) Source: Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 Section 44(1)

Offence: It is an offence for a person to forge, fraudulently alter, fraudulently use, fraudulently lend or fraudulently allow to be used by another person a vehicle licence.

5) Source: Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 Section 45(1)

Offence: It is an offence for a person in connection with an application for a vehicle licence or a claim for a rebate to make any declaration which to his knowledge is either false or in any material respect misleading.

F  (Back to index)

Firearms

Source: Firearms Act 1968

Definition of a firearm
A lethal barrelled weapon of any description from which any shot, bullet or other missile can be discharged, and includes any 'prohibited weapon', whether lethal barrelled or not, any component part of such a lethal or prohibited weapon and any accessory to such weapons which are designed or adapted to diminish the sound or flash caused by firing the weapon,

Ages

Section 1 firearm/ammunition - Under 14 years
Possession of firearm/ammunition only in the following circumstances:-
1) gun bearer
2) member of rifle club
3) shooting gallery calibre n/e .23"
4) member of a cadet corps when engaged in target or drill practice
5) No gift or loan of firearm permitted.

14- 17 years
1) as above
2) under authority of firearm certificate
3) A firearm may be gifted or loaned.

Shotgun/ammunition
Under 15 years
Must hold a shotgun certificate. If shotgun is assembled:-
1) person must be supervised by a person 21 or over, or
2) the gun is covered in a gun cover
3) No gift of shotgun permitted.

15 years and over
Shotgun certificate required. Shotgun may be gifted or loaned.

Air weapon/ammunition

Under 14 years
1) public place (not air pistol), covered and supervised
2) private premises -supervised
3) member of rifle club
4) at shooting gallery

No gift permitted.

14 -17 years
As above but no supervision required. May be gifted or loaned.

17 years
May now purchase or hire any firearm or ammunition and possess an air pistol in a public place.

Common offences
Section 19 of the Firearms Act 1968, makes it an offence to have in any public place, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse (the proof whereof shall lie with him/her) any of the following: -

1) A loaded shotgun
2) A loaded air weapon
3) Any other firearm loaded, or unloaded if the person also has suitable ammunition in his/her possession

Section 20 of the Act creates an offence for any person, in possession of a firearm, to trespass onto any land or buildings, without reasonable excuse (the proof whereof shall lie with him/her),

It is a crime at common law for any person to recklessly discharge a firearm, whether or not actual injury is caused.

Fraud

Source: Common Law 

There is no succinct definition to embrace all the criminal forms of cheating. However, if the following three elements are present in a cheat the crime of fraud is complete.

Falsehood
False representations by words, or writing or conduct.

Fraud
Intention to deceive or defraud

Wilful Imposition
The cheat designed has been successful to extent of gaining benefit or advantage, or of prejudicing or tending to prejudice the interests of another person.

G  (Back to index)

Gaming Machines

1) Source: Gaming Act 1968 Section 31

Their are 2 types of machines for the practical purpose of this act.

Jackpot Machines  Section 31
These may only be used on premises which are licensed or registered under the Act for the purpose of gaming or gaming machines.

Note: 
There is a 25p limit to the charge for one playing the machines.
There is no limit to the maximum prize which may be won, but it must be by way of coins from the machine.
There must be a statement on the machines specifying the prize(s) which may be won and the percentage payout.
The machines may not be used in the premises on any occasion when the public are admitted whether on payment or otherwise.
Not more than two machines may be available on the premises unless authorised under section 32, in which case the provisions of section 34 must be complied with instead of those above.

Amusements with Prizes  Section 34
These may only be used on premises for which a permit has been granted.
On licensed or registered premises where this type of machine has been opted for instead of jackpot machines.
On premises used as a pleasure fair for which a permit has been granted.
At a traveling showmen's pleasure fair.
There is a 25p limit to the charge for one playing the machine.

Prizes are restricted to one of the following:
Money prize not exceeding £4.00 or tokens exchangeable for such amount.
Non-money prize not exceeding £8.00 or tokens exchangeable for such non-money prize.
A mixture of money and non-money prizes which do not exceed the above amounts.
Tokens which can be either used to play further games or be exchanged as above.

Note:
Jackpot machines, amusement with prizes machines, or any other type of machine may be used at non-commercial entertainment if not on premises licensed or registered under the Act, without further authority and without limits on numbers or prizes. This would apply to bazaars, fetes, dinners, dances, etc, whether limited to one day or extended over two or more days. In these cases the whole of the proceeds after deducting expenses must be devoted to other than private gain. Section 33.

I  (Back to index)

Indecent Exposure

Source: Common Law

Any person who publicly exposes the private parts of their body in a shameless and indecent manner in the presence of the lieges commits a crime at common law.

There must be a lewd and indecent intention, mere carelessness is not criminal.

Although the definition uses the term "any person", generally speaking, only males are charged with this crime. A female who exposes the private parts of her body could competently be reported for a breach of the peace, lewd practices or shameless indecency, depending upon the circumstances.

L  (Back to index)

Liquor Licensing

Source: Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976

Subject to the provisions of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976, the permitted hours in licensed premises, licensed canteens and registered clubs shall be: -

Normal permitted hours: -
Weekdays: 11,00 am until 11,00 PM
Sundays 12.30 PM until 2,30 PM 6.30 PM until 11.00 PM

Premises for which a public house licence is in force may only open on a Sunday between the above times provided an application has been made to, and granted by, a Licensing Board.

Extended hours in relation to meals: -
Weekdays: 11.00 PM to 1.00 AM
Sundays 12.30 PM to 4.00 PM 5.00 PM to 1.00 am

Other types of extension exist and must be approved by the Licensing Board.

The following separate permitted hours apply to premises with an off-sale licence: -
Weekdays: 8.00 am to 10.00 PM Sundays: 12.30 PM to 10.00 PM

Period of grace
At the conclusion of permitted hours, whether extended or not, persons in a hotel or public house may continue to consume alcoholic liquor for a period of 15 minutes, provided that the liquor was purchased and supplied before the conclusion of permitted hours. Similarly, a 'carry out' purchased from such a hotel or public house may be taken away during that 15 minute period, provided that it was purchased during permitted hours. Liquor purchased ancillary to a meal may be consumed up to 30 minutes after the conclusion of permitted hours.

M  (Back to index)

Malicious Mischief

Source: Common Law

Malicious mischief consists in the wilful, wanton, and malicious destruction of, or damage to, the property of another person. There must be malice, either actual or inferred, on the part of the perpetrator, as destruction or damage caused by accident, or under a reasonable belief of right, is not criminal.

Injuring growing trees, killing or maiming animals and running to waste any liquid or substance are examples of malicious mischief. The damaging or destruction of property which one has originally stolen is not malicious mischief.

One main difference between this and the offence of vandalism is that with vandalism there must be damage to actual property, whereas with malicious mischief, financial damage brought about by a criminal act would suffice.

If property is damaged and the value of damage is high it may be more relevant to libel this common law crime than vandalism.

Powers: Common law power of arrest.

Matrimonial

Source: Matrimonial Homes Family Protection ( Scotland ) Act 1981 Section 1

This section declares a general right of occupancy for spouses who have no individual title to the matrimonial home. Previously, a spouse who was the owner or tenant of the matrimonial home could eject the other spouse at any time. Now the "non-entitled spouse" has the occupancy rights set out within Section 1, ie the right to occupy or to enter and occupy the matrimonial home, together with any child of the family. As these are statutory rights, attempts to evade them can be criminal offences under Section 22, Rent ( Scotland ) Act 1984. The "non-entitled spouse" is now a "residential occupier" or the purposes of the 1984 Act.

If the "entitled spouse" refuses to allow the "non-entitled spouse" to exercise the occupancy right shown above, the "non-entitled spouse" may exercise that right only with the leave of the court under Section 3(3) or (4) of this Act.

Exclusion orders Where there is an "entitled" and a "non-entitled spouse", or where both spouses are entitled, or permitted by a third party, to occupy a matrimonial home, either spouse whether or not that spouse is in occupation at the time of the application may apply to the court for an order (in this Act referred to as "an exclusion order") suspending the occupancy rights of the other spouse ("the non-applicant spouse") in a matrimonial home.

Powers:
The court may attach a power of arrest to any matrimonial interdict, which is ancillary to an exclusion order. Although the Section 15 power of arrest specifies that a constable 'may' arrest the offending spouse, the Lord Advocate has directed that an offending spouse will be arrested in all but the most trivial cases.

A copy of the interdict and attached power of arrest, together with copies of the Application and Service of Interdict, must be forwarded to the Chief Constable after service on the non- applicant spouse. A Section 15 power of arrest will not be carried out unless this has been done.

O  (Back to index)

Offensive Weapons

1) Source: The Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995.     (Go to the Act)

Section 47 
Any person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, the proof whereof shall lie with him/them, has with him/them, in any public place any offensive weapon shall be guilty of an offence.

Lawful Authority - Their possession was lawful, e.g. a soldier with a bayonet on duty.

Reasonable Excuse - Under all of the circumstances their possession was reasonable.

Public Place - Includes any road and any other premises or place to which at the material time the public have or are permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise.

Section 48(1)
Where a constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person is carrying an offensive weapon they may search that person without warrant and detain them for such time is reasonably required to permit the search to be carried out and they shall inform the person of the reason for such detention.

Any person who intentionally obstructs a constable in the exercise of these powers or actively conceals from a constable acting in the exercise of these powers an offensive weapon commits an offence. The constable may arrest without warrant any person who they have reason to believe has committed this offence.

Section 49(1) 
Creates the offence to have in a public place a bladed or sharply pointed article. (Bladed article excludes a folding pocket knife with a blade cutting edge not exceeding 3 inches.)

Section 49(a) 
Creates an offence for any person to have with them on school premises an offensive weapon, bladed or sharply pointed article. (School premises exclude land occupied solely as a dwelling by an employee at the school.)

Section 49(b) 
A constable may enter school premises and search those premises for knives, pointed articles and offensive weapons if they have reasonable grounds for suspecting an offence has been committed. (A constable may use reasonable force if necessary in the exercise of the power of entry conferred and may seize any articles found during the search.)

Any person who intentionally obstructs a constable in the exercise of these powers or actively conceals from a constable acting in the exercise of those powers an offensive weapon commits an offence. (A constable may arrest without warrant any person who they have reason to believe has committed or is committing an offence as detailed.)

Search
Where a constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that any person is carrying an offensive weapon they may search that person without warrant, and detain them for such time as is reasonably required to permit the search to be carried out, and they shall inform the person of the reason for such detention.

Obstruction of search
Any person who intentionally obstructs a constable in the exercise of these powers, or actively conceals from a constable acting in the exercise of those powers an offensive weapon, commits an offence.

P   (Back to index)

Public Order

Public assemblies

Source: Public Order Act 1986

A public assembly means an assembly of 20 or more persons In a public place which is wholly or partly open to the air, and to which a section of the public are permitted access (by payment or otherwise) at the material time. The most senior police officer present may impose conditions on those public assemblies which are likely to cause serious disorder or intimidation.

Offences and arrest
Section 14 makes it an offence for the organiser of the assembly, or any person present, to knowingly fail to comply with any conditions imposed by the police. It is also an offence to incite any persons taking part to fail to comply with such conditions.

Any constable in uniform may arrest, without warrant, persons reasonably suspected of committing offences under Section 14 of the Act.

Public processions

Source: Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982

All public processions are subject to controls of the Regional or Islands Council, and in some circumstances to the control of the police. The council may prohibit or impose conditions upon the procession.

Section 65 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 creates the following offences in relation to public processions: -

1) an offence for the organiser of a procession to hold a public procession in contravention of an order prohibiting it, or in contravention of conditions imposed by such an order
2) an offence for any persons to take part in such an unlawful procession, but only if th