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I don't think the law exists to arrive at the truth. If it…

“I don't think the law exists to arrive at the truth. If it did, we wouldn't have exclusionary rules, we wouldn't have presumptions of innocence, we wouldn't have proof beyond reasonable doubt. There's an enormous difference between the role of truth in law and the role of truth in science. In law…” quote by Alan Dershowitz
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“I don't think the law exists to arrive at the truth. If it did, we wouldn't have exclusionary rules, we wouldn't have presumptions of innocence, we wouldn't have proof beyond reasonable doubt. There's an enormous difference between the role of truth in law and the role of truth in science. In law, truth is one among many goals.”

Alan Dershowitz

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Law seeks procedural truth, not absolute truth; legal standards differ from scientific ones.

In simple terms: Law balances truth with fairness.

Key Takeaway

Understand legal standards.

Themes

law truth justice

Mood

analytical educational

Type

legal philosophical

When to use this quote

  • courtrooms
  • legislative drafting
  • academic research
  • policy making

Key Concepts

epistemology procedural fairness

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do legal standards protect rights?
  • When should scientific rigor influence law?
A Different Perspective

Legal truth can be compromised by politics.

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