Guilty Until Proven Innocent - The Law According to Den Tarragon.

Your Honour, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court,
We are gathered today because an accusation has been made. Den claims that my client, Mr. Matt Taylor, stole Jenny’s eggs.
Now, at first glance, such a claim may sound serious — but in law, words alone are not enough to condemn a person. The foundation of justice in our society rests upon a simple but powerful principle: a person is innocent until proven guilty.
That means the burden — the responsibility — lies not with the accused, but with the accuser. It is Den who must prove his claim. It is Den who must bring evidence before this court. Evidence that is clear, credible, and convincing.
We do not ask Mr. Taylor to prove that he didn’t steal the eggs. For how could one ever prove that something didn’t happen? If we were all required to prove our innocence every time someone pointed a finger, then none of us would ever be free. We would live under a cloud of endless suspicion.
Our legal system does not work that way. It never has, and it never should. The presumption of innocence is the shield that protects every honest citizen from false or mistaken accusations.
So, when Den stands before you and says, “Matt took Jenny’s eggs,” the law asks one question in return:
“Where is your proof?”
If Den cannot show us proof — not gossip, not guesses, not hearsay, but solid evidence — then the accusation falls. It has no legs to stand on.
Until such proof is brought forward, Mr. Taylor remains what the law declares him to be: innocent.
Because justice demands that guilt be proven — not presumed.
And that, Your Honour, is the cornerstone of fairness itself.