Legal Definitions - not proven

Definition: Not proven is a verdict used in Scots criminal law, which means that the accused is not guilty, but there is still a strong suspicion of guilt that has not been fully proved. It is an archaic verdict that is no longer used in other legal systems.

Example: In a trial for murder, if the jury cannot reach a verdict of guilty or not guilty, they may return a verdict of not proven. This means that the accused is acquitted of the charge, but there is still a suspicion that they may have committed the crime.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the verdict of not proven is used in a criminal trial. It shows that the accused is not found guilty, but there is still a suspicion of guilt that has not been fully proved. This verdict is unique to Scots law and is not used in other legal systems.