presumption of innocence

presumption of innocence
presumption of innocence see presumption

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. . 1996.

presumption of innocence
n.
In criminal law, the assumption that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

The Essential Law Dictionary. — Sphinx Publishing, An imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. . 2008.


presumption of innocence
One of the most sacred principles in the American criminal justice system, holding that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty. In other words, the prosecution must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, each essential element of the crime charged.
Category: Criminal Law
Category: Small Claims Court & Lawsuits

Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary. . 2009.


presumption of innocence
n. A basic tenet of criminal law that a person is to be presumed to be innocent until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The burden of proving the person guilty falls completely on the justice system, with the accused bearing no burden of proving his or her innocence. The presumption of innocence is not a determination of innocence, but rather a placing of the burden of proof entirely upon the justice system.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary. . 2000.


presumption of innocence
A principle that requires the government to prove the guilt of a criminal defendant and relieves the defendant of any burden to prove his or her innocence.

Dictionary from West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005.


presumption of innocence
A principle that requires the government to prove the guilt of a criminal defendant and relieves the defendant of any burden to prove his or her innocence.

Short Dictionary of (mostly American) Legal Terms and Abbreviations.

presumption of innocence
n.
   a fundamental protection for a person accused of a crime, which requires the prosecution to prove its case against the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. This is opposite from the criminal law in many countries, where the accused is considered guilty until he/ she proves his/her innocence or the government completely fails to prove its case.

Law dictionary. . 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Presumption of innocence — The of innocencendash being innocent until proven guiltyndash is a legal right that the accused in criminal trials has in many modern nations. The burden of proof is thus on the prosecution, which has to collect and present enough compelling… …   Wikipedia

  • presumption of innocence — a rebuttable presumption in favor of the defendant in a criminal action imposing on the prosecution the burden of proving him guilty beyond reasonable doubt * * * Law. the rebuttable presumption of the innocence of the defendant in a criminal… …   Useful english dictionary

  • presumption of innocence — The presumption in a criminal prosecution that the accused is innocent until he is proved guilty, a presumption which places upon the state the burden of proof of guilt and, according to some authority, is of evidentiary value in favor of the… …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • presumption of innocence — Law. the rebuttable presumption of the innocence of the defendant in a criminal action in Anglo Saxon jurisprudence, placing upon the prosecution the burden of proof of the defendant s guilt. * * * …   Universalium

  • presumption of innocence — noun Law the fundamental principle of criminal law in common law countries that innocence is to be assumed unless guilt is proved by the prosecution or admitted by the accused …  

  • presumption — pre·sump·tion /pri zəmp shən/ n: an inference as to the existence of a fact not certainly known that the law requires to be drawn from the known or proven existence of some other fact conclusive presumption: a presumption that the law does not… …   Law dictionary

  • innocence — in·no·cence / i nə səns/ n: freedom from fault or guilt under the law: as a: the state of not being guilty of a particular crime or offense compare guilt b: the state of not being guilty of an act that constitutes a ground for divorce c:… …   Law dictionary

  • Presumption — Pre*sump tion (?; 215), n. [L. praesumptio: cf. F. pr[ e]somption, OF. also presumpcion. See {Presume}.] 1. The act of presuming, or believing upon probable evidence; the act of assuming or taking for granted; belief upon incomplete proof. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Presumption of fact — Presumption Pre*sump tion (?; 215), n. [L. praesumptio: cf. F. pr[ e]somption, OF. also presumpcion. See {Presume}.] 1. The act of presuming, or believing upon probable evidence; the act of assuming or taking for granted; belief upon incomplete… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Presumption of law — Presumption Pre*sump tion (?; 215), n. [L. praesumptio: cf. F. pr[ e]somption, OF. also presumpcion. See {Presume}.] 1. The act of presuming, or believing upon probable evidence; the act of assuming or taking for granted; belief upon incomplete… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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