If a female friend accuses someone of a sexual offence, should they be seen as innocent until proven guilty, or guilty until proven innocent?

[Anonymous]

Innocent until proven guilty

Guilty until proven innocent

[NaultD]

Side note in my town a woman claimed self defense for killing a man who was sexual assaulting her. She was charged with murder from a jury of peers.

A jury of peers is going to hear the case from the beginning. There is as fair of a process to these things that can be.

This is why you have the right to remain silent and get a lawyer. Shut the fuck up and don't talk to police. Be it you got hurt by someone else or you fucked up and hurt somebody.

[OneViewpoint]

It would depend entirely, for me personally, on knowing the two people involved and hearing both sides of the story. For legal purposes, yeah the presumption of innocence is required and it would be up to the courts to ferret out the truth from both sides and then pass impartial judgement by a 3rd party with no vested interest in the events.

[GeorgePulchri]

However, I wouldn’t be dismissive of her complaint or accusation.

Focus on getting her safe and separating her from contact with the accused. If he is innocent he’ll want her story feel safe too. If he’s guilty, then there is no way for him to get to her in the mean time while evidence comes out.

[slatyb]

It depends on how well I know them. I'm not a court of law and am not sentencing someone to prison, so I don't have to be sure beyond reasonable doubt.

[msc545]

Innocent until proving guilty, of course. But the way the law is now and the way judges are now, in reality, the person will be considered guilty unless he can prove his innocence.

[exitseven]

If she was my friend I would take her work over the word of a dirtbag.

[KostasKouvalis]

If my female friend told me she was sexually assaulted, I would believe her

[noohair]

Innocent until proven guilty is the American system.

[Miristheiss]

Any evidence?

Follow the evidence.

[beefcakebradybatson]

The former.