single judge trials are nothing new. data from 2019 to 2020 shows 84% of all criminal trials were tried under what s called summary procedure with verdicts reached without a jury. summary proceedings are dealt with by a sheriff or a justice of the peace. they re used in criminal cases for less serious crimes things like minor theft and minor drink driving offences similar to what happens in magistrates courts in england and wales. but now as part of the victims, witnesses and justice reform bill, scotland is piloting juryless trials in rape and sex offence cases. and some lawyers are against the idea. it s nothing short of an attempt to increase conviction rates in rape trials and in attempted rape trials. and we see that as an absolute miscarriage ofjustice, and attempt to change the legal
Trials
Jury
Judge
Nothing
Verdicts
Data
Summary-procedure
2019
84
2020
Justice
Cases