Out of Court Scrutiny Panel

The purpose of the County Durham and Darlington Out of Court Resolutions Scrutiny Panel is to independently review a selection of anonymised cases that have been resolved by use of an out of court resolution in County Durham and Darlington. Its aim is to determine whether the method of disposal is considered appropriate, based on a review of the information/ evidence available to the decision marker at the time.   
Out of Court Resolutions allow the police to deal effectively and proportionately with low-level, often first-time offending without a prosecution at court.

They provide the victim with reparative options and address the offender’s behaviour through conditions that can be both punitive and rehabilitative. They are victim focused, taking into account the full circumstances of the offence, offender and views of the victim. Out of Court Resolutions can maximise the use of police officer time – achieving a satisfactory outcome for the victim and wider public. They also provide intervention and support to potential offenders at the early stages in criminal behaviour, diverting them into rehabilitative services to help reduce escalation of offending.  The Panel cannot change the outcome of the case, but where it is appropriate to do so, can give feedback at an organisational level or, where fitting to be conveyed to individuals of each agency involved in a particular case. The aim of providing feedback is to promote best practice and identify potential policy development or training needs for consideration by the force or other agencies. 

The panel, which consists of ten members, meet quarterly to scrutinise fifteen cases (five adult cases, five youth cases and five checkpoint cases). These cases are randomly selected by an independent chair, based around a chosen theme.  Membership of the panel  includes representatives from the following bodies:
•                The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
•                Durham Constabulary
•                The Crown Prosecution Service
•                Durham and Darlington Youth Justice Services
•                The North East Probation Service
•                Durham Magistracy and Youth Magistracy
•                Victim Service Provider-Victim Care and Advice Service 

In reviewing a case, the Panel will discuss and agree a categorisation against four options as below. The use of out of court resolution is:
-Appropriate and consistent with Police Policies/ the CPS Code for Crown Prosecutors.
-Appropriate with observations
-Inappropriate and inconsistent with policy
-Panel fails to reach a conclusion and more information is required.