You are innocent until proven guilty or is it you are guilty until proven innocent... I know which one it is, but my friend and i made a bet and he said that you are guilty until proven innocent. He just wants it in writing from someone or anyone out there. For some reason he does not believe me, hopefully with the help of yahoo answers you can help me prove my point.
2007-01-18 08:11:57 · 11 answers · asked by Slim 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
"You are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law."
This is a phrase that is frequently misunderstood, since it is only a rule of evidence for courts. Indeed, police can and will treat someone as guilty the moment they suspect him or her. The person can be held in jail pending trial (subject to bail). Employers might terminate the person's employment after an arrest. And people will certainly speculate. Look at O.J. Simpson. He was not found guilty of murder in a criminal court (although he was found responsible for the deaths in a civil court, using a lower standard of proof). From the day he was seen fleeing in his White Bronco, many assumed he was guilty, and continue to do so to this day.
What "Innocent until proven guilty" means is this:
When a person is at trial for a crime, the suspect must be considered by the court and jury innocent, and it is up to the prosecution to prove that he or she is guilty. If no evidence is produced, then the person is innocent. If insufficient evidence is produced to prove guilt, the person is innocent. This principle is to counter the tendency of people to assume that a person is guilty just because they have been arrested.
The key is that this rule only applies to the criminal trial. It does not apply, for example, during a police investigation.
2007-01-18 08:27:58 · answer #1 · answered by Eric 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the West, traditionally, you have been 'presumed innocent' until a court -Judge on his own or Jury - decides otherwise.
That's why the person in the 'dock' is "The Accused", not "The Perpetrator", even if they've beenheld by Police for months - and, of course, charged.
A trial is to see if the person charged really did 'it' - whatever it was - "beyond reasonable doubt".
And you are, despite the mistaken term, never 'found innocent' - you are "found not guilty".
Scotland still has one feature in its courts which I think is unique. In addition to "Guilty" or "Not Guilty", you can have a verdict of "Not Proven"! This normally means - "You did it. The Police know you did it. We on the Jury know you did it! But there is not enough evidence to prove it!" And that is something quite different from countries where a crook gets off "Not Guilty" on a point of law, while everyone knows he did it - as a "Not Proven" verdict and the trial/crime behind it can be used in a later case, where "Not Guilty" ones shouldn't be raised again.
2007-01-18 16:30:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Innocent until proven guilty.
2007-01-18 16:22:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Innocent until proven guilty.
2007-01-18 16:19:56 · answer #4 · answered by Rabbit 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.
- Cops
2007-01-18 16:19:23 · answer #5 · answered by jayztttight 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Technically, it's "you are innocent until proven guilty", but I almost agree with your buddy. In this day and time, it seems like the saying should go " you are guilty until proven innocent".
2007-01-18 16:21:15 · answer #6 · answered by Sherbert 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are innocent until proven guilty
2007-01-18 16:17:44 · answer #7 · answered by cornbread3604 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law
2007-01-18 16:19:18 · answer #8 · answered by Chrissy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are innocent until proven guitly in a court of law. Tell your friend to watch cops!
2007-01-18 16:19:49 · answer #9 · answered by actresst22 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
. You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions. Do you understand?
2. Anything you do say may be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand?
3. You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future. Do you understand?
4. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish. Do you understand?
5. If you decide to answer questions now without an attorney present you will still have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to an attorney. Do you understand?
6. Knowing and understanding your rights as I have explained them to you, are you willing to answer my questions without an attorney present?
2007-01-18 16:18:05 · answer #10 · answered by cantthinkofnothin 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋