Legal Definitions - Scotch verdict

A Scotch verdict is a type of jury verdict used only in Scots criminal law. It is an archaic verdict that is equivalent to "not guilty," but it carries a strong suspicion of guilt that has not been fully proven. It is also known as "not proven."

• After the trial, the jury returned a Scotch verdict, which meant that the defendant was not guilty, but there was still a strong suspicion of guilt.
• In Scotland, a defendant can be acquitted, convicted, or given a Scotch verdict.

These examples illustrate how a Scotch verdict is a unique type of verdict that is only used in Scots criminal law. It is similar to "not guilty," but it carries a stronger implication of guilt that has not been fully proven.