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Criminal Law & Justice vocabulary · Trial & Verdict

Presumption of innocence

Meaning in criminal law & justice, with examples

/prɪˌzʌmpʃn əv ˈɪnəsns/nounCore term

In criminal law & justice, presumption of innocence means: The basic principle that every person accused of a crime must be treated as innocent until the prosecution proves their guilt in court.

In Turkish: masumiyet karinesi, suçsuzluk karinesi

How it is used

Found in constitutions, human rights texts and judges' directions to juries. Everyday English says 'innocent until proven guilty'. The principle also protects suspects from being presented as guilty by officials or the media before a verdict.

Example sentences

  1. The police chief's comments were criticised as a breach of the presumption of innocence.

  2. The presumption of innocence means the defendant does not have to prove anything.

Common collocations

  • respect the presumption of innocence
  • breach of the presumption of innocence
  • innocent until proven guilty
  • right to the presumption of innocence
  • burden of proofThe duty to prove that a claim is true; in criminal cases it lies on the prosecution, not on the defendant.
  • beyond reasonable doubtThe standard of proof in criminal cases: the evidence must be so strong that no reasonable person would doubt the defendant's guilt.
  • guiltyOfficially judged by a court to have committed a crime; the opposite verdict is 'not guilty'.
  • trialThe formal process in court in which evidence is presented and a judge or jury decides whether the defendant is guilty of the charges.

More terms: Trial & Verdict

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.