The wigs...why???

[jadeymodel]

I recently went to court for my uni work as Forensics play a fundemental part in the court of law, as I sat in on some cases I often got distracted by the funny wigs they wear...

Does anyone know why they wear the wigs?

At first I thought it was for hygeine reasons incase the judge has nits, but then they say nits cant jump and the defendant and prosecutor dont sit head-to-head with the judge, so that hypothesis is out the window.

It's clearly not for fashion. case closed there.

I then thought...maybe they want to hide their bad hair, however the wig does not sit on the head correctly and hair pops out at the side.

I thought again maybe they do it to show individuality in the court room...however all wigs are the same. Can someone explain...Please?

[Ice.Maiden]

Judges in the highest courts - such as the House of Lords, don't wear these wigs, and they aren't worn in Magistrates Courts. I believe it stems from years ago, when wigs were worn by men as a fashion statement of wealth and standing, but once they went out of fashion, they continued to be used as part of the "court dress".

[jadeymodel]

It was in the high court. :)
Was rather intrested and none of my fellow students understood it either hehe
It looks rather stupid!! x x x

[Ice.Maiden]

I agree with you, but of course, in olden times, wigs were dusted with arsenic powder to keep mites and head lice at bay. This often caused death by arsenic poisoning as it seeped through the pores of the skin and into the bloodstream. George 3rd had porphyria - displaying symptoms of madness - which is attributed to him wearing his arsenic-covered wigs.

[tamborine]

Its uniform/status like the queen wearing crown or graduates & mortars. It also reflects the age of basic laws made. They're worn in High Court by judges & barristers.....and very itchy & hot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_dress

[Ice.Maiden]

Oh dear! What's the husband going to do if he goes bald then tamb?? I thought a wig might suit him!! : )

Night both. Bed calls. xx

[factor-fiction]

I thought it was for the same reasons that surgeons wear masks- so if they make a mess of things no-one can recognise them later.

[francesca01]

I thought it was so that both the prosecution & defense looked the similar, so that witnesses would not be swayed by their appearance alone ???