Innocent until proven guilty

a short reminder

Friends-

Why do we say innocent until proven guilty?

The principle of "innocent until proven guilty"—formally known as the presumption of innocence—is the bedrock of modern legal systems. At its core, it is a deliberate choice about where the burden of proof lies and how a society chooses to manage the risk of human error. It dates back at least to Roman law and was later strengthened in English common law.

Here is a breakdown of why this principle exists and how it protects individuals:

1. The Burden of Proof
In any dispute, the party making the accusation carries the burden of proving it. Without the presumption of innocence, a citizen would face the logically impossible task of proving a negative. The law therefore places the entire burden on the prosecution.

2. Blackstone’s Ratio
The philosophical foundation is captured by 18th-century English jurist William Blackstone:

"It is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer."

This is both a moral and practical choice. It recognizes the massive power imbalance between the state and the individual. In practice, this is enforced through the high standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

3. Protection Against Trial by Accusation
By establishing innocence as the default starting point, an accusation alone cannot destroy a person’s life or reputation. The accused retains core legal and procedural rights during the process (such as the right to counsel, a speedy trial, and the ability to mount a defense), even if they are held in pre-trail detention. The jury must begin with an open mind, and any conviction carries real legitimacy because it survived the highest level of scrutiny.

It is a system deliberately designed to protect the individual against the immense power of the state—ensuring that freedom is the default and punishment is the exception that must be earned through rigorous proof.

NOTE: Of course, a jury has a right to return a “not guilty” verdict if they think the “law” that was broken was/is unjust. It’s called jury nullification. It’s a right that “government” will not make you aware of. So keep a reminder of it in your back pocket.

That said, here’s the latest on the Charlie Kirk Assassination and the current ongoing Preliminary Hearing (this lawyer contends and proves (I dare say) that the “government” failed to make their case against Tyler Robinson.

That’s it.

Robert J. Borer

P.S. There’s a LOT happening in the election integrity world. Stand by.