11:44
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Simple English definitions for legal terms
presumption of innocence
Read a random definition: Board of Tax Appeals
A quick definition of presumption of innocence:
A presumption of innocence means that a person accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty. This means that the prosecutor must prove, beyond a doubt, that the person committed the crime. However, this does not always mean that the person will be free until their trial. The presumption of innocence is not guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, but it is recognized as a basic requirement for a fair trial through statutes and court decisions.
A more thorough explanation:
A presumption of innocence means that a person accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty. This means that the prosecutor has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused committed the crime. The presumption of innocence is a fundamental principle of a fair trial.
For example, if someone is accused of stealing a car, they are presumed innocent until the prosecutor proves that they did, in fact, steal the car. The prosecutor must provide evidence that shows the accused had the intent to steal the car, took the car without permission, and knew that they were not authorized to take the car.
Another example is if someone is accused of murder. The prosecutor must prove that the accused had the intent to kill, that they actually caused the death of the victim, and that they did so with malice aforethought. If the prosecutor cannot prove all of these elements beyond a reasonable doubt, the accused must be found not guilty.
These examples illustrate how the presumption of innocence works in practice. The accused is not required to prove their innocence; rather, the burden is on the prosecutor to prove guilt. This ensures that innocent people are not wrongly convicted of crimes.