presumption of innocence
The legal principle that a person is considered innocent until they are proven guilty in a court of law. This means the police or the state must provide evidence to show a crime was committed.
Examples
3 of 5We must remember the presumption of innocence before we judge him.
We must remember the presumption of innocence before we judge him.
The judge reminded the jury about the presumption of innocence.
The judge reminded the jury about the presumption of innocence.
Don't act like he's guilty yet; there's a presumption of innocence, you know.
Don't act like he's guilty yet; there's a presumption of innocence, you know.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a person holding a sign that says 'I am innocent' until a judge takes it away because of proof.
Quick Quiz
In a fair trial, every person is protected by the _____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: presumption of innocence
Examples
We must remember the presumption of innocence before we judge him.
everydayWe must remember the presumption of innocence before we judge him.
The judge reminded the jury about the presumption of innocence.
formalThe judge reminded the jury about the presumption of innocence.
Don't act like he's guilty yet; there's a presumption of innocence, you know.
informalDon't act like he's guilty yet; there's a presumption of innocence, you know.
The presumption of innocence is a central pillar of modern human rights law.
academicThe presumption of innocence is a central pillar of modern human rights law.
Our company policy follows the presumption of innocence during internal reviews.
businessOur company policy follows the presumption of innocence during internal reviews.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
innocent until proven guilty
innocent until proven guilty
burden of proof
burden of proof
beyond a reasonable doubt
beyond a reasonable doubt
Often Confused With
Presumption of innocence is the status of the person, while burden of proof is the duty of the state to provide evidence.
Usage Notes
This phrase is almost always used with the definite article 'the'. It is most common in legal discussions but can be used metaphorically in social situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes say 'presumption for innocence', but the correct preposition is always 'of'.
Memory Tip
Think of a person holding a sign that says 'I am innocent' until a judge takes it away because of proof.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'praesumptio' (a taking beforehand) and 'innocentia' (harmlessness).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
This concept is a cornerstone of legal systems in many democratic countries, ensuring that the state cannot punish people without strong proof.
Quick Quiz
In a fair trial, every person is protected by the _____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: presumption of innocence
Related Vocabulary
A defendant is a person or organization that is being accuse...
acquittalAn acquittal is a formal legal judgment that a person is not...
evidenceInformation or objects that help to prove something is true...
justiceJustice is the quality of being fair and reasonable in how p...
verdictA verdict is the official decision made by a jury or judge i...
trialA formal process in a court of law to decide if someone is g...
More law words
prosecutor
A1A prosecutor is a lawyer who works for the government. Their job is to show a court that someone has committed a crime.
defendant
A1A defendant is a person or organization that is being accused of a crime or is being sued in a court of law. This person is required to answer the legal charges brought against them by another party.
plaintiff
A1A person or group who brings a legal case against another in a court of law. They are the ones starting the lawsuit because they believe they have been wronged.
jury
A1A group of ordinary people chosen to listen to the facts of a trial in a court of law. They listen to the evidence and decide if a person is guilty or not guilty.
lawsuit
A1A lawsuit is a legal case where one person or group brings a disagreement to a court of law for a judge to decide. It usually happens when someone wants money or a specific action from another person because of a problem or injury.
proof
A1Proof is a fact or a piece of information that shows something is true. In a legal context, it is what a person uses to convince a judge or jury that a crime happened.
misdemeanor
A1A misdemeanor is a minor crime that is less serious than a felony. It is usually punished by a fine or a short period of time in a local jail rather than a state prison.
bail
A1Bail is a sum of money paid to a court so that a person who has been accused of a crime can stay out of jail until their trial starts. If the person shows up for their court date, the money is usually returned.
fraud
A1Fraud is the illegal act of tricking someone to get their money or property. It is a crime where a person lies or hides the truth to gain an unfair advantage.
homicide
A1A homicide is when one person kills another person. It is a general term used by police and lawyers to describe any kind of killing, whether it was an accident or on purpose.
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