{"id":25191,"date":"2023-04-26T05:53:03","date_gmt":"2023-04-26T09:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=25191"},"modified":"2023-04-26T05:53:03","modified_gmt":"2023-04-26T09:53:03","slug":"not-proven-verdict-to-be-scrapped-in-scottish-courts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2023\/04\/26\/not-proven-verdict-to-be-scrapped-in-scottish-courts\/","title":{"rendered":"Not proven verdict to be scrapped in Scottish courts"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The controversial not proven verdict is to be scrapped in Scottish courts as part of sweeping reforms to the country’s justice system.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The measures will also see the number of jurors in criminal trials reduced from 15 to 12.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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And a pilot will be held that would see rape and attempted rape trials be held without a jury.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Not proven is one of three verdicts that can be returned in Scotland, alongside guilty and not guilty.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The implications of a case being found not proven are exactly the same as not guilty and the accused is innocent in the eyes of the law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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But there has been concern that it can be confusing for juries and the public.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Critics of the verdict also say it can stigmatise an accused person by appearing not to completely clear them and that it can fail to provide closure for victims.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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