2007-05-29 09:32:50 · 13 answers · asked by cantgetnowordstouse 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Because the Constitution guarantees them Due Process under law.
2007-05-29 09:39:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
In the U.S. innocent until proven guilty is a protection guaranteed by the Constitution. This is true except in some liable laws. Court precedents abound.
In some other places once a magistrate or someone with judicial power charges you with a crime you are guilty until proven innocent (Napoleonic Law).
Your mileage varies according to the country you live in.
2007-05-29 10:04:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a sense, that would mean everybody is automatically guilty. Even you, therefore everyone has to be presumed innocent. Sometimes there is luck and one will admitt their guilt. But when we are not that lucky, we have to prove their guilt. Hence "until proven guilty". I believe with that, it also ensures a fair trial. Just think if it were you. Sometimes something could make a person seem guilty, but we have to prove it. If it were guilty untill proven innocent, there would be alot of innocent people in prison.
2007-05-29 09:42:29 · answer #3 · answered by r riggs 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are wearing a white shirt and driving your red car near a convenience store minding your own business. Two blocks away someone robbed the store and shot and killed the clerk. There is one witness, an eighty six year old woman. The murderer left the scene in a red car wearing a white shirt. Officers responding to the scene spot you and fitting the description stop you. They have the witness come to a field line-up and she says that’s the guy who did it. Soon you’re in a jail cell. Now do you believe in innocent until proven guilty.
2007-05-29 17:45:48 · answer #4 · answered by pd_investigator 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the way the legal system in the USA is set up it is presumed that you are innocent until it is proved beyond a reasonable doubt that you are actually guilty. It is assumed that the prosecuter and defense act in a responsible manner as officers of the court to find the truth.
Sadly that last part does not happen as it should.
2007-05-29 09:52:26 · answer #5 · answered by mark 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because that is one of the beautiful things about our country we are not backward or ignorant. The person has to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that he is guilty. In countries like Mexico you are guilty until proven innocent which means they can kick your ***.
2007-05-29 09:48:12 · answer #6 · answered by NONAME 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because that is what the Constitution and the Amendments of the USA say as penned by our founding Fathers.
Everyone is presumed innocent until proved guilty by a jury of their peers.
2007-05-29 09:40:39 · answer #7 · answered by Dog Lover 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because we give criminals the benefit of the doubt. And when you say it's known that the person committed the crime, how do you know? If I saw someone murder someone, I have to testify in court and let the accused's lawyers know about what I saw so they have time to produce evidence to the contrary of what I say (if it exists). To not do this would be so unfair... I could say I saw someone murder someone, and then what, guilty automatically?
2007-05-29 09:36:45 · answer #8 · answered by Pfo 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its the way our system is built.
You must have a fair trial and if you are presumed guilty there can be no fair trial
2007-05-29 09:36:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I know you are guilty of something horrendous, I just can't prove it.
So do you want to go to jail or be executed NOW or do you want me to have to be able to prove it to the satisfaction of your peers?
2007-05-29 09:42:34 · answer #10 · answered by Daniel T 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋