![]() ![]() The trial records themselves can be viewed only by visiting the NRS Historical Search Room. This extensive cataloguing work has now made it easy to search for the trials between the years 18 online. Cataloguing of the early 19th century case papers is not yet complete, but staff in the NRS are working to fill the gaps. Secondly, there are the records of the High Court itself, the primary sources to consult being the minute books, which summarise trial proceedings, and the process or case papers ( NRS reference JC26). Firstly there are the precognitions: written reports of statements given by witnesses and frequently the accused, prepared by the Crown (as prosecutor) which are contained among the records of the Lord Advocate’s Department (NRS references AD14 and AD15). For more advice on this, go to our guide on crime and criminals.įor the most serious criminal cases two groups of records usually survive. During the first half of that century many convictions for such offences ended with a sentence of transportation. In the 19th century repeat offenders, or persons deemed criminals 'by habit and repute', could be tried there for lesser crimes such as theft, or housebreaking (burglary in England and Wales). As Scotland's supreme criminal court, cases heard before the High Court tend to be for crimes such as murder, rape, treason and other serious offences. The court sits permanently in Edinburgh and travels on circuit around Scotland. High Court trials are heard before a judge sitting with a jury (15 persons) and are known as 'solemn trials'. The National Records of Scotland (NRS) have catalogued and indexed all criminal trials held in the High Court of Justiciary between the years 18. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |