Services for people who are awaiting court
Support and services for those who have been charged and a case has been referred to the Procurator Fiscal, you will be awaiting the notification of the decision and potential court date if applicable.
This includes people who are waiting in the community and those held on remand 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.
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.
Inverness Women’s Aid
Since 1979, we support women, young people and children in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey who are or have experienced domestic abuse. We provide refuge accommodation when this is required or support in finding suitable accommodation. Our Women’s Support Workers can assist in a number of areas such as applying for benefits or money matters, we provide advocacy and support at meetings with agencies such as Police, Social Work and GP appointments, we provide emotional support and we can help you obtain legal advice. This list is varied as we tailor our support for the individual we are working with. We also have a small team of Family Support Workers who can provide support to mothers with their children, and young adults. This can be anything from parenting support, work one to one with children and can also attending meetings with schools, social work or such like.