Woman and Business welcomes Karon Rollo, Procurator Fiscal
Silence in court. And there was, when Procurator Fiscal Depute, Karon Rollo (adorned in courtroom robes), spoke in the School’s theatre as part of Kilgraston’s Women and Business series.
Explaining her route into Law – via a Post Grad in Legal Practice & European Law and a Certificate in Forensic Medicine – Karon gripped her audience, of Upper Fourth, Lower and Upper Fifth, with tales of grisly murders and benchmark historical cases that changed the subject’s teaching forever.
“Scottish lawyers are justifiably proud of their profession,” explained the Fiscal, “Our legal system is one of the best in the world; it’s independent, with all cases requiring corroborated evidence. Everything must be backed-up by independent evidence.”
Karon explained how the role of a PF is to “prosecute on behalf of the state” and that, while there might be more glamorous and more highly paid areas of the Law, she derived a great sense of job satisfaction, knowing that the truth had been sought and just results served: “I sleep easy at night,” she said.
One pupil wondered if she ever felt threatened by some of the less desirable elements encountered along the way. “Not really,” came the response, “most criminals have a very healthy respect for those practicing law and they know that the police are very protective of us.”
Courtroom procedure was discussed with the roles of both defence and prosecution explained: “Police present us, the PFs, with evidence and it is up to our office to decide, through looking at the available evidence, if there is a case there to answer. It’s the defence’s job to represent their clients’ interests.”
Once submitted, Karon explained that, under Scottish Law, statements cannot be withdrawn: “After a witness statement has been provided, it is for the fiscal to decide what happens with the case. We prosecute in the publics’ interest.
Pupils heard how any university degree can lead you to a legal career, with a subsequent two-year conversion course being required.
“Once you have your post-grad you can apply for a two year traineeship with the Crown Office & PF Service where, if successful, you will embark upon a two year traineeship, working in different departments around the country,” Karon advised.
For those looking to experience working in a different country, a career with the COPFs offers the opportunity of a stint in The Hague with Eurojust, the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation.
“Parking fines to post-mortems, it’s all in a day’s work.” Certainly never a dull moment and Kilgraston is very grateful to Karon for fitting us into her busy schedule.
Pupils waiting to speak to the visiting Procurator Fiscal, Karon Rollo, after her Women and Business lecture in Kilgraston’s theatre
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