innocent until proven guilty

"Innocent until proven guilty" is a legal principle that means a person is presumed innocent of a crime until there is enough evidence to prove otherwise. This ensures the burden of proof is on the prosecution, not the accused. The accused does not have to prove they are innocent; instead, the prosecution must demonstrate guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This standard protects individuals from wrongful conviction and upholds fairness in the justice system, ensuring everyone is treated fairly until evidence shows otherwise.