Presumption of Innocence: Also known as the ‘innocent until proven guilty’ principle, this is a legal principle which states that an accused person should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This is an important principle of criminal justice which ensures that the defendant is given the benefit of the doubt until the prosecutor proves otherwise. Burden of Proof: The burden of proof is the responsibility of the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of the crime in question. This is done by providing evidence that the defendant committed the crime and that no other reasonable explanation could explain the evidence. Reasonable Doubt: Reasonable doubt is the highest standard of proof that must be met for a criminal conviction. This means that in order for a defendant to be found guilty, the prosecution must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. This means that any doubts that are raised which are reasonable must be given consideration and the defendant must be acquitted if the prosecution cannot prove their case beyond this standard. There are two types of reasonable doubt, namely: direct reasonable doubt, which is evidence against the defendant directly, and circumstantial reasonable doubt, which is evidence that supports the defendant’s innocence.
Presumption of Innocence: Also known as the ‘innocent until proven guilty’ principle, this is a legal principle which states that an accused person should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This is an important principle of criminal justice which ensures that the defendant is given the benefit of the doubt until the prosecutor proves otherwise. Burden of Proof: The burden of proof is the responsibility of the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of the crime in question. This is done by providing evidence that the defendant committed the crime and that no other reasonable explanation could explain the evidence. Reasonable Doubt: Reasonable doubt is the highest standard of proof that must be met for a criminal conviction. This means that in order for a defendant to be found guilty, the prosecution must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. This means that any doubts that are raised which are reasonable must be given consideration and the defendant must be acquitted if the prosecution cannot prove their case beyond this standard. There are two types of reasonable doubt, namely: direct reasonable doubt, which is evidence against the defendant directly, and circumstantial reasonable doubt, which is evidence that supports the defendant’s innocence.
