# Why does Scotland use the "not proven" verdict?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-scotland-use-the-not-proven-verdict/587477>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 1, 2011, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-scotland-use-the-not-proven-verdict/587477 "2011-07-01T04:15:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-scotland-use-the-not-proven-verdict/587477/21 "2011-07-02T23:19:33Z")

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Would the California and Florida trials and judgements of O.J. Simpson be appropriate for discussions of “not proven”?

(Please don’t jump down my throat and make my query stupid…;))

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**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2011, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-scotland-use-the-not-proven-verdict/587477/22 "2011-07-03T01:53:08Z")

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> [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](#):
>
> …if you are charged with certain drug offenses, the _police_, not the courts, can confiscate your property even before you have been indicted!

Seized at least temporarily, yes, but you can ask for it back, and sue if the police don’t release it voluntarily. In some states such as Ohio the court handling your criminal case can order the return of the property even if you don’t sue.

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**Author:** ![tomtype](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc8723/32.png) [@tomtype](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomtype)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-scotland-use-the-not-proven-verdict/587477/23 "2011-07-13T18:30:15Z")

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> [@MrBerious](#):
>
> Would arrests even show up on a background check?

As a job counselor, I can tell you arrests do show. Even warrents that are not served or canceled show. Had a young man who sought work as a security guard. He even had an old warrent that had never been acted upon (to report on court judgement upon turning 18. His step mother threw him out and only address the court had was his mother. He never returned --was under court order not to)  
Also had another person show up for shoplifting less than $10.

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