found guilty. Can someone really be found guilty even if there is no evidence?
2006-11-15 09:10:19 · 6 answers · asked by ghjkhlh 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
There HAD to be SOME form of evidence.
2006-11-15 09:13:23 · answer #1 · answered by Manny 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is a grand jury indictment against you, you can be tried without any evidence. It is called a Prima Facie case and it is perfectly legal. Whether or not you are found guilty is up to the jury in a jury trial or a judge in a bench trial. It doesn't really matter how much evidence there is or isn't. If the prosecutor presents a more convincing case than the defense and the jury or judge buy it then you get convicted.
2006-11-15 18:26:46 · answer #2 · answered by Kymbo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is referred to as "guilty until proven innocent" if you perform a search you will find many unfortunate cases where a person(s) was tried by the media long before facing a jury of their peers, many even wen to jail for years until the case was reopened an really solved. It isn't a daily occurrence, but it happens. Think of all the people detained after 9/11 attacks and how long they were held, it is sad but true. There have even been cases of a "mistaken crime" where a person is accused of something that didn't actually happen and it takes a long while to prove that since it never really happened they can't be tried for it. The legal system is tricky - guilty people can go free just as easily as an innocent one can go to jail. The system isn't perfect but it's all we have.
2006-11-15 17:22:48 · answer #3 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Means, Motive, and Opportunity. If the prosecution can successfully argue these things, even without direct evidence or an eyewitness they can make their case. As a famous detective once said "Rule out the impossible and you will have the possible. Rule out the possible and you will have the probable. Rule out the probable and you will have the answer".
2006-11-15 17:25:13 · answer #4 · answered by vanman2u 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This would never hold up in a real court. You cannot try and convict someone without evidence. Law enforcement cannot arrest a suspect without reasonable cause of evidence.
2006-11-15 17:17:49 · answer #5 · answered by Sparkles 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you watch tooooooooo much tv.
2006-11-15 17:16:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋