Editing Sheriff (section)

=====''Sheriffs''=====
Sheriffs deal with the majority of civil and criminal court cases in Scotland, with the power to preside in [[solemn proceedings]] with a [[Trial by jury in Scotland|jury of 15]] for [[indictable offence]]s and sitting alone in summary proceedings for [[summary offence]]s. A sheriff must be [[legal education|legally qualified]], and have been qualified as an [[Faculty of Advocates|advocate]] or [[Law Society of Scotland|solicitor]] for at least 10 years. The maximum sentencing power of sheriff in summary proceedings is 12 months [[imprisonment]], or a [[fine (penalty)|fine]] of up to £10,000. In solemn proceedings the maximum sentence is 5 years imprisonment, or an unlimited fine.<ref name="scottishsheriffs" />

Sheriffs also preside over [[fatal accident inquiry|fatal accident inquiries]] which are convened to examine the circumstances around sudden or suspicious deaths, including those who die in the course of employment, in [[Detention (imprisonment)|custody]], or in secure accommodation.<ref name=FAI1976>{{cite web| url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/14 | title=Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976 | publisher=Legislation.gov.uk | date=13 April 1976 | access-date=19 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="FAI">{{cite web|author1=Judicial Office for Scotland|title=The Office of Sheriff|url=https://www.judicialappointments.scot/sites/default/files/files/information_pages/The%20Office%20of%20Sheriff.doc|website=Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland|access-date=4 April 2017|page=9|language=en|format=DOC|quote=34) The sheriff is required to make certain findings and is empowered to make recommendations to avoid a recurrence of the incident.|archive-date=30 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230071915/https://www.judicialappointments.scot/sites/default/files/files/information_pages/The%20Office%20of%20Sheriff.doc|url-status=dead}}</ref>