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The '''presumption of innocence''' is a principle that places the [[burden of proof]] on the [[prosecution]] to prove [[beyond a reasonable doubt]] that a [[crime|criminal]] [[defendant]] is guilty, not on the defendant to prove his [[innocence]].  The principle is considered to be a fundamental part of [[due process]].<ref>[http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/presumption+of+innocence Presumption of innocence]</ref> The presumption of innocence has its origin in the English [[common law]] and is fundamental to legal systems, such as those of the [[United States]], which are derived from common law. The presumption of innocence has also become part of many systems of [[civil law]], and is now seen throughout the world as an essential element of human [[freedom]].

The '''presumption of innocence''' is a principle that places the [[burden of proof]] on the [[prosecution]] to prove [[beyond a reasonable doubt]] that a [[crime|criminal]] [[defendant]] is guilty, not on the defendant to prove his [[innocence]].  The principle is considered to be a fundamental part of [[due process]].<ref>[http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/presumption+of+innocence Presumption of innocence]</ref> The presumption of innocence has its origin in the English [[common law]] and is fundamental to legal systems, such as those of the [[United States]], which are derived from common law. The presumption of innocence has also become part of many systems of [[civil law]], and is now seen throughout the world as an essential element of human [[freedom]].

The first complete explanation of the [[presumption of innocence]] in [[America]]n law was by the [[United States Supreme Court]] in ''[[Coffin v. United States]]'' (1895).

The first complete explanation of the presumption of innocence in [[America]]n law was by the [[United States Supreme Court]] in ''[[Coffin v. United States]]'' (1895).

The presumption of innocence was summarized by Viscount Sankey thus, in the context of a murder trial: "If, at the end of and on the whole of the case, there is a reasonable doubt, created by the evidence given by either the prosecution or the prisoner, as to whether the prisoner killed the deceased with a malicious intention, the prosecution has not made out the case and the prisoner is entitled to an acquittal." <ref>Woolmington v DPP, 1935</ref> In the same speech, he referred to this legal principle as the "golden thread" running "throughout the web of the English Criminal Law", a phrase which has come to be used as a shorthand for the principle itself.

The presumption of innocence was summarized by Viscount Sankey thus, in the context of a murder trial: "If, at the end of and on the whole of the case, there is a reasonable doubt, created by the evidence given by either the prosecution or the prisoner, as to whether the prisoner killed the deceased with a malicious intention, the prosecution has not made out the case and the prisoner is entitled to an acquittal." <ref>Woolmington v DPP, 1935</ref> In the same speech, he referred to this legal principle as the "golden thread" running "throughout the web of the English Criminal Law", a phrase which has come to be used as a shorthand for the principle itself.