onschuldvermoeden
The presumption of innocence, known in Dutch as onschuldvermoeden, is a fundamental legal principle. It dictates that every person accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty. This means the burden of proof lies entirely with the prosecution, who must present sufficient evidence to convince a judge or jury of the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The accused is not required to prove their innocence.
This principle is a cornerstone of fair legal proceedings and safeguards against wrongful convictions. It ensures
In practice, the presumption of innocence means that law enforcement and the prosecution must gather evidence