--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The core civil liberty that underpins our…" description: "\"The core civil liberty that underpins our American criminal justice system is the presumption of innocence. Every person enjoys this presumption long b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dad/william-barr-6563_core_the-core-civil-liberty-that-underpins-ou_1929287.jpg" --- # The core civil liberty that underpins our American… ![“The core civil liberty that underpins our American criminal justice system is the presumption of innocence. Every person enjoys this presumption long before the commencement of any investigation or official proceeding.” quote by William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dad/william-barr-6563_core_the-core-civil-liberty-that-underpins-ou_1929287.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dad/william-barr-6563_core_the-core-civil-liberty-that-underpins-ou_1929287.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dad/william-barr-6563_core_the-core-civil-liberty-that-underpins-ou_1929287.jpg) > “The core civil liberty that underpins our American criminal justice system is the presumption of innocence. Every person enjoys this presumption long before the commencement of any investigation or official proceeding.” [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Presumption of innocence is foundational, protecting rights before any accusation. **In simple terms:** Everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty. Key Takeaway Uphold the presumption in all legal processes. Themes justice rights fairness Mood serious thoughtful Type legal philosophical When to use this quote - court trials - police investigations - public policy debates - education curricula Key Concepts legal principle due process Questions to Reflect On - How can society reinforce the presumption of innocence? - What challenges threaten this principle? A Different Perspective Biases can erode the presumption despite formal rules. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Criminal justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminal-justice/) [Criminal justice system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminal-justice-system/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Innocence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innocence/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Justice system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice-system/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Presumption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presumption/) [Presumption of innocence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presumption-of-innocence/) ## Related quotes > [I believe I am entitled like any other person to have the presumption of innocence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-slipper/i-believe-i-am-entitled-like-any-other-person-to-have-the-presumption/) [Peter Slipper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-slipper/) > [“Brennan writes, allowing for those exceptions violates the presumption of innocence twice:”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radley-balko/brennan-writes-allowing-for-those-exceptions-violates-the-presumption/) [Radley Balko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radley-balko/) > [While not explicitly articulated in the Constitution, the presumption of innocence has, through Supreme Court opinions, become a fundamental tenet of our criminal-justice system,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-abrams/while-not-explicitly-articulated-in-the-constitution-the-presumption/) [Dan Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-abrams/) > [There is a presumption of innocence in American law that means that you cannot consider making someone guilty until all the evidence is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-lamb/there-is-a-presumption-of-innocence-in-american-law-that-means-that/) [Conor Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-lamb/) > [People are entitled to the presumption of innocence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barney-frank/people-are-entitled-to-the-presumption-of-innocence/) [Barney Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barney-frank/) > [The presumption of innocence is not just a legal concept. In commonplace terms, it rests on that generosity of spirit which assumes the best,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kingman-brewster-jr/the-presumption-of-innocence-is-not-just-a-legal-concept-in/) [Kingman Brewster, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kingman-brewster-jr/) > [An important and fundamental premise of the American judicial system is the presumption of innocence, that is until proven guilty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dmx/an-important-and-fundamental-premise-of-the-american-judicial-system/) [DMX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dmx/) > [This is a generation weaned on Watergate, and there is no presumption of innocence and no presumption of good intentions. Instead, there is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-dee-myers/this-is-a-generation-weaned-on-watergate-and-there-is-no-presumption/) [Dee Dee Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-dee-myers/) > [But I rather thought--I mean, I heard you'd killed Balder the Fair." "I never did," snapped Loki crossly. "Well, no one ever proved I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanne-harris/but-i-rather-thought-i-mean-i-heard-you-d-killed-balder-the-fair-i/) [Joanne Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanne-harris/) > [I believe that everybody is entitled to a presumption of innocence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lori-lightfoot/i-believe-that-everybody-is-entitled-to-a-presumption-of-innocence/) [Lori Lightfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lori-lightfoot/) > [The presumption of innocence only means you don't go right to jail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/the-presumption-of-innocence-only-means-you-don-t-go-right-to-jail/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [Stay out of the court of self-judgment, for there is no presumption of innocence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stay-out-of-the-court-of-self-judgment-for-there-is-no-presumption-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Asset forfeiture is a mockery of the Bill of Rights. There is no presumption of innocence, no need to prove you guilty (or even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-browne/asset-forfeiture-is-a-mockery-of-the-bill-of-rights-there-is-no/) [Harry Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-browne/) > [Some may remember, if you have good memories, that there used to be a concept in Anglo-American law called a presumption of innocence, innocent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/some-may-remember-if-you-have-good-memories-that-there-used-to-be-a/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“Repeat something enough and folks will start to believe it. Mr. Mount had always taken the position that the presumption of innocence is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-grisham/repeat-something-enough-and-folks-will-start-to-believe-it-mr-mount/) [John Grisham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-grisham/) ## More by William Barr > [By definition, a Special Counsel is charged with investigating particular potential crimes, not all potential crimes wherever they may be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/by-definition-a-special-counsel-is-charged-with-investigating/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [Men are subject to powerful passions and appetites, and, if unrestrained, are capable of ruthlessly riding roughshod over their neighbors and the community at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/men-are-subject-to-powerful-passions-and-appetites-and-if/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [The first Black Migration to this country was forced migration. It was the Middle Passage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/the-first-black-migration-to-this-country-was-forced-migration-it-was/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [Established in 2001, the Medal of Valor is our nation's highest public safety award. Officers across the nation are nominated by their peers, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/established-in-2001-the-medal-of-valor-is-our-nation-s-highest-public/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [Human beings are capable of great good, but also of the basest evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/human-beings-are-capable-of-great-good-but-also-of-the-basest-evil/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [When I first served as Attorney General back in the early 90s, crime was at its highest in American history, with its peak in 1992.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/when-i-first-served-as-attorney-general-back-in-the-early-90s-crime/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [All first responders do noble work, and all of them deserve our respect and our appreciation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/all-first-responders-do-noble-work-and-all-of-them-deserve-our/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [In my view, the government has ample justification to inquire about citizenship status on the census and could plainly provide rationales for doing so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/in-my-view-the-government-has-ample-justification-to-inquire-about/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [Having served as both attorney general and deputy attorney general in the Justice Department, I had responsibility for supervising the FBI, working on virtually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/having-served-as-both-attorney-general-and-deputy-attorney-general-in/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [Every Medal of Valor recipient has confronted life-threatening danger. Each had their fight-or-flight moment. But each one stood their ground for our safety. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/every-medal-of-valor-recipient-has-confronted-life-threatening-danger/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [While the FBI carries out investigative work, the responsibility for supervising, directing and ultimately determining the resolution of investigations is solely the province of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/while-the-fbi-carries-out-investigative-work-the-responsibility-for/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [In a pluralistic society like ours, I think the ability to resist hate comes from cultivating a civil society that, on the one hand,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/in-a-pluralistic-society-like-ours-i-think-the-ability-to-resist-hate/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [Everyone dies, and I am not, you know, I don't believe in the Homeric idea that, you know, immortality comes by, you know, having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/everyone-dies-and-i-am-not-you-know-i-don-t-believe-in-the-homeric/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [From my perspective the idea of resisting a democratically elected president and basically throwing everything at him and, you know, really changing the norms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/from-my-perspective-the-idea-of-resisting-a-democratically-elected/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [Over time, I think, and with further appointments to the Supreme Court, I think that the Roe v. Wade opinion will fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/over-time-i-think-and-with-further-appointments-to-the-supreme-court/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) [Explore all 98 William Barr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) ## More Core quotes > [I guess at it's very core love is connection that just makes so much sense you wonder how you used to live before you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-stone/i-guess-at-it-s-very-core-love-is-connection-that-just-makes-so-much/) [Benjamin Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-stone/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Public infrastructure around the world is facing unprecedented stress, with hurricanes, cyclones, floods and forest fires all increasing in frequency and intensity. It's easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-klein/public-infrastructure-around-the-world-is-facing-unprecedented-stress/) [Naomi Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-klein/) > [The language we share is at the core of our identity as citizens, and our ticket to full participation in American political life. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-i-hayakawa/the-language-we-share-is-at-the-core-of-our-identity-as-citizens-and/) [S. I. Hayakawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-i-hayakawa/) > [We have a fear of facing ourselves. That is the obstacle. Experiencing the innermost core of our existence is very embarrassing to a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-have-a-fear-of-facing-ourselves-that-is-the-obstacle-experiencing/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [Mass adulation from the multitudes does not penetrate your soul or your core.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosie-o-donnell/mass-adulation-from-the-multitudes-does-not-penetrate-your-soul-or/) [Rosie O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosie-o-donnell/) > [I think we all have a core that's ecstatic, that knows and that looks up in wonder. We all know that there are marvelous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coleman-barks/i-think-we-all-have-a-core-that-s-ecstatic-that-knows-and-that-looks/) [Coleman Barks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coleman-barks/) > [A classic is like a hidden treasure. Its core is buried under so many layers of varnish that it can be reached only by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-louis-barrault/a-classic-is-like-a-hidden-treasure-its-core-is-buried-under-so-many/) [Jean-Louis Barrault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-louis-barrault/) > [I was taking all prints and I brought them to the Magnum meetings, trying the old Josef Koudelka trick: Give them to photographers, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-van-agtmael/i-was-taking-all-prints-and-i-brought-them-to-the-magnum-meetings/) [Peter van Agtmael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-van-agtmael/) > [Love is the supreme form of communication. In the hierarchy of needs, love stands as the supreme developing agent of the humanity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-montagu/love-is-the-supreme-form-of-communication-in-the-hierarchy-of-needs/) [Ashley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-montagu/) > [I think if something resonates, even if it's surreal, it's because it is relatable and I think that that's a core issue for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-think-if-something-resonates-even-if-it-s-surreal-it-s-because-it/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [Consider the core of the mind to be a wagon, with will-power to be carried about in it. Push it to a place where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/takuan-soho/consider-the-core-of-the-mind-to-be-a-wagon-with-will-power-to-be/) [Takuan Soho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/takuan-soho/) > [Sports have always been a huge part of my life and my conversations. It is a thrill and an honor to be a part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-sanders/sports-have-always-been-a-huge-part-of-my-life-and-my-conversations/) [Summer Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-sanders/) > [Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/most-of-us-think-of-pride-as-self-centeredness-conceit-boastfulness/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Don't underestimate the power of your vision to change the world. Whether that world is your office, your community, an industry or a global…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-hood/don-t-underestimate-the-power-of-your-vision-to-change-the-world/) [Leroy Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-hood/) Browse all 1,833 Core quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The core civil liberty that underpins our American criminal justice system is the presumption of innocence. Every person enjoys this presumption long before the commencement of any investigation or official proceeding.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William Barr" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/the-core-civil-liberty-that-underpins-our-american-criminal-justice/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Core" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/the-core-civil-liberty-that-underpins-our-american-criminal-justice/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dad/william-barr-6563_core_the-core-civil-liberty-that-underpins-ou_1929287.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dad/william-barr-6563_core_the-core-civil-liberty-that-underpins-ou_1929287.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dad/william-barr-6563_core_the-core-civil-liberty-that-underpins-ou_1929287.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The core civil liberty that underpins our American criminal justice system is the presumption of innocence…” — William Barr", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "William Barr", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The core civil liberty that underpins...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/the-core-civil-liberty-that-underpins-our-american-criminal-justice/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/the-core-civil-liberty-that-underpins-our-american-criminal-justice/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```