Scottish Greens support end to not proven verdict
The Scottish Greens will vote today in support of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill at Holyrood.
As part of the party’s previous manifesto, Scottish Greens promised to support the abolition of the not proven verdict and the creation of a Victims and Witnesses Commissioner, to make the criminal justice system better for victims and survivors.
Maggie Chapman, who is the party spokesperson for justice said: “This bill is the start of a shift in how our justice system works for victims and survivors of and witnesses to crime.
“Scotland is the only country in the world with the confusing ‘not proven’ verdict alongside ‘guilty’ and ‘not guilty’. Victims, survivors, witnesses and defendants have said that such a verdict does not feel like justice to them. It is long past time to end not proven and is a necessary step for a clearer, more humane and modern justice system.
“We fully support the abolition of the not proven verdict, and we welcome the creation of a Victims and Witnesses Commissioner.
“Both of these were manifesto commitments we made at the last election, and come from our support of the recommendations made by Lady Dorrian in her review of how to make the criminal justice system better for survivors and victims. I am proud to vote in support of these today.
“There are lots of other good things in the bill that will bring Scotland’s justice system into the 21st century, to offer compassion and lasting support for those who are affected by crime in our country. It is the start of the transformations we need to see to ensure our justice system delivers for everyone.”