not proven

not proven
the verdict in a Scottish criminal trial that amounts to an acquittal but that is not the same as the verdict of not guilty. In the 17th century, practice developed such that the jury found facts alleged by the prosecution either proven or not proven, and it was then for the judge to convert this to an appropriate level of guilt. In 1728, however, a jury returned a verdict of not guilty, leaving thereafter three verdicts available. The consensus appears to be that the not proven verdict is available where there is insufficient evidence to convict but suspicion still attaches to the accused. Whether or not this is satisfactory is often debated.

Collins dictionary of law. . 2001.

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  • Not proven — Proven Prov en, p. p. or a. Proved. Accusations firmly proven in his mind. Thackeray. [1913 Webster] Of this which was the principal charge, and was generally believed to beproven, he was acquitted. Jowett (Thucyd. ). [1913 Webster] {Not proven}… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Not proven — Criminal procedure Criminal trials and convictions …   Wikipedia

  • not proven — adjective see not proved * * * not ˈproven idiom (in Scottish law) a ↑verdict (= decision) at a trial that there is not enough evidence to show that sb is guilty or innocent, and that they must be set free Main entry: ↑proven …   Useful english dictionary

  • not proven Scots Law — a verdict that there is insufficient evidence to establish guilt or innocence. → prove …   English new terms dictionary

  • not proven — ➡ juries * * * …   Universalium

  • not proven — A form of Scotch verdict which acquitted the defendant of the charge against him, but left a suspicion upon him …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • Proven — Prov en, p. p. or a. Proved. Accusations firmly proven in his mind. Thackeray. [1913 Webster] Of this which was the principal charge, and was generally believed to beproven, he was acquitted. Jowett (Thucyd. ). [1913 Webster] {Not proven} (Scots… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • not guilty — n 1: a plea by a criminal defendant who intends to contest the charges compare guilty, nolo contendere ◇ Under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, if a defendant refuses to plead or if the defendant is a corporation that fails to appear the… …   Law dictionary

  • proven — proved, proven The two forms relate to two different verbs derived from Old French prover (ultimately from Latin probare). In standard BrE, proved is the normal past tense and past participle of the verb prove (They proved their point / Their… …   Modern English usage

  • proven — 1 adjective 1 (usually before noun) tested and shown to be true: a woman of proven ability 2 not proven an expression used in Scottish law when a court cannot decide definitely that someone is guilty of a crime 2 especially AmE a past participle… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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