Solemn proceedings is the term used in Scotland for serious criminal cases prosecuted on indictment before a judge and

jury A jury is a sworn body of people (jurors) convened to hear evidence and render an impartial verdict (a finding of fact on a question) officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Juries developed in England du ...

. These are distinct from summary proceedings before a

sheriff A sheriff is a government official, with varying duties, existing in some countries with historical ties to England where the office originated. There is an analogous, although independently developed, office in Iceland that is commonly transla ...

or justice of the peace sitting without a jury.

See also