OOP - Veritaserum

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 67231

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "xnavyguy73" <tcinc at c...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "pk_dawson" <wcdawson at o...> 
> wrote:

> > > 
> > > Does anyone else wonder why Harry was not just given Veritaserum 
> > > by  the ministry in lieu of his sham of a hearing?  


> 
> Perhaps Veritaserum works on the same process as a lie detector, so 
> that what a person believes to be the truth is what is the truth to 
> that person, so if Harry believed that LV was back thats what he 
> would say under the affects of Veritaserum.


bboy_mn:
 
Let me pose a counter question; why don't muggle courts force people
accused of a crimes to take truth serum? Muggles do have several drugs
that function as truth serum.

First it's an invasion of rights and privacy, remember that the
foundation of democratic law has it's origins in English Common Law.
So you can't be compelled to give testimony against yourself. It's not
up to you to prove your innocents; it's up the them to prove your
guilt. Plus, Harry is a minor; they certainly can't force a minor to
take truth serum without his permission and the permission of his
guardians. Considering who Harry's guardians are, it's doubtful they
would ever get any of the in a wizard's courtroom.

During the trial Dumbledore (I think) make reference to the Wizard
Charter of Rights, so wizards do have some rights under the law.

Of course, as others pointed out, just like lie detectors, truth serum
can be fooled.

Just a thought.

bboy_mn