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Showing results for presumption of innocence. Search instead for Dispensation+of+Innocence.

presumption of innocence

American  

noun

Law.
  1. 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.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The former defendants in this case, like any other defendant in this situation, still enjoy the presumption of innocence held sacrosanct in our constitutional order,” the judge writes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

Zornoza has "temporarily suspended" all engagements "to clarify the facts and to follow his treatment for an aggressive cancer," the statement said, calling for respect for "the presumption of innocence".

From Barron's • Nov. 11, 2025

During a Monday court hearing, Judge Graf acknowledged massive interest in the case and urged that Robinson's "presumption of innocence remains".

From BBC • Oct. 27, 2025

“Justice and the presumption of innocence require fairness and due process for all to ensure that outcomes are based on evidence and not overshadowed by the weight of tragedy.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2025

The most presumptuous of all presumptions is this "presumption of innocence."

From Courts and Criminals by Train, Arthur Cheney

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