Services for people who are attending court
Attending Court can be concerning and confusing, there are services that can support you and advise you of your rights and responsibilities.
After your case is heard and if you are found guilty there are a number of ‘disposals’ or sentences that you can receive. Again there are support services there for people in communities and in Prison.
Examples of the sorts of services individuals may need:
- Information or advice about options
- Legal support and advice
- Support for attending court
- Income maximisation, particularly if facing likelihood of a fine
Next Chapter Scotland
Next Chapter Scotland is here for anyone in Scotland who’s affected by the criminal justice system — whether that’s through a conviction, an ongoing investigation, or the impact on a loved one. We offer non-judgemental, rights-based support to help people navigate the stigma, isolation and barriers that too often come with justice involvement. Advice is provided via our helpline (including email and text/WhatsApp), our information website and our mutual support Facebook group. We support people with their own convictions or with a family member with a conviction, and we work with people related to all offence categories without exception.
Families Outside
Families Outside are Scotland’s national charity supporting children and families affected by imprisonment. We can offer practical, emotional and social support to children and adults through 121 and group work across Scotland. This support is open to anyone with a person in their life who is involved with the criminal justice system.
Victim Support Scotland
Victim Support Scotland provides victims and witnesses with free confidential, emotional and practical support, and information about the criminal justice system.
No one expects to be a victim of crime, but it can happen to anyone. Victim Support Scotland helps provides information, emotional support and practical assistance to help people affected by crime, including victims, witnesses and their families and friends.
Apex Scotland
Apex Scotland helps people with experience of the justice system to move towards a new life through support, training and hope. Since we started, thousands of people have benefited from our caring, individual and hopeful approach. By treating everyone as an individual, we create a feeling of dignity, understanding, mutual respect and most importantly, hope for the future. We provide various services across the country to people of all ages and backgrounds. Every journey is one we’re proud to take together.
ACI Recovery Services
We offer free, one-to-one, specialist addictions counselling, group recovery therapies, and recovery coaching. Additionally, we provide CRAFT training for family members affected by addiction, risk-taking workshops, and mindfulness programs. Our services are rooted in person-centred counselling and humanistic psychotherapy models. All services are available to individuals and families dealing with addiction issues. Eligibility criteria include residing in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey or Easter Ross areas and a commitment to actively engage in the recovery process.
We also provide counselling online into HMP Inverness for people on remand, as well as support their recovery cafes.
New Start Highland
New Start Highland supports people from all walks of life to realise their potential. We offer supported placements in a range of activities which contribute to delivery of some of our services including:
Administration
Bike repair
Gardening
Retail – preparing and sorting goods, keeping the retail outlets well presented and dealing with customers.
Upcycling – painting, repairing and re-upholstering furniture
Warehousing – loading and unloading vans, cleaning and sorting donated household goods.
As an accredited SQA Centre, people can gain qualifications. We teach life skills including cooking, budgeting and IT and we offer training in Health and Safety and First Aid.
Highland Alcohol and Drug Advice & Support Service
Staff at Highland Alcohol and Drug Advice and Support Service (HADASS) provide advice, support and specialised interventions as well as signposting for further support.
Contact the team or pop in to have a chat and a cuppa. Services include:
- needle exchange (specialised equipment)
- blood-borne virus testing and immunisation
- overdose and naloxone training and supply
- harm reduction advice
- image and performance-enhancing drugs clinic
- one-to-one support
Meetings
David Whyte House
57 Church Street
Inverness
IV1 1DR
Drop-in sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday – 10am to 2pm.
Public Defence Solicitors Office (PDSO)
The Public Defence Solicitors Office can help you if you have been charged with a criminal offence or if you are in trouble with the police. We can represent you if you are eligible for criminal legal aid. We will help you apply for this. We can provide you with expert legal advice whether you have been charged with a minor crime or a very serious offence because we understand that your case is serious to you and your family. Throughout your case your lawyer will listen to you, tell you what is happening and what it means for you.
Scottish Drugs Forum
For the past 20 years, Scottish Drugs Forum have offered the National Traineeship programme to give opportunities for people with lived or living experience of alcohol or substance use problems to work in Social Care.
The programme prepares people for employment through formal learning and in-work placements over a 39-week period. It is a multi-award-winning initiative which offers a unique programme of:
- Paid work experience
- Specialist training
- Intensive support to achieve an industry standard vocational qualification, the SVQ Level 2 in Social Services and Healthcare
- Peer, and one to one support from SDF throughout the employment journey, and beyond