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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: The Philosopher who wrote (73797)9/3/2003 12:02:43 AM
From: Solon  Respond to of 82486
 
"A defendant is innocent until proven guilty"

Legally innocent. Not actually innocent. We describe "innocence" as "not guilty" in order to clarify that the "not guilty" is a technical ruling which may or may not equate to a moral concept. The jury cannot create guilt or innocence in actuality...they can only throw out an opinion.



To: The Philosopher who wrote (73797)9/3/2003 11:19:18 PM
From: Ilaine  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 82486
 
Hi CH - I have to say that "not guilty" is not the same, in my mind, as innocent. "Almost innocent", maybe.

Using the language precisely, "innocent" means you didn't do it, "not guilty" means the state can't prove you did it. There is a "presumption of innocence."

I have never heard a defendant plead "innocent," only "not guilty." And I have never heard a jury return a verdict of "innocent", only "not guilty."


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