assumption of guilt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assumption of guilt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts or discussions about justice, where one party is presumed guilty without sufficient evidence. Example: "The defendant argued that the media's portrayal of the case led to an unfair assumption of guilt before the trial even began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The assumption of guilt replaces the assumption of innocence.

The New Yorker

The language in the hospital reminded me of the church, for example the strange assumption of guilt on the part of the patient.

The Guardian - Books

Cheney Mason, Mr. Baez's co-counsel, sharply criticized reporters and pundits for "media assassination" in maligning Ms. Anthony and sprinting to an assumption of guilt.

The New York Times

Indeed, one of Shuy's first studies, of the Abscam trials of the nineteen-eighties, reveals just how easily the meaning of linguistic evidence can be twisted by a background assumption of guilt.

The New Yorker

Both are predicated on the assumption of guilt: torture is justified because the victim is said to be a terrorist, or an "illegal combatant" who has committed or is about to commit a terrible crime, while pre-emptive war is justified because a state is said to be "a rogue state" violating international law (Iraq) or committing crimes against humanity (Yugoslavia).

The Guardian - Opinion

"That's the real violence," as Jesse Jackson put it: when children live in neighborhoods devoid of opportunity, under an assumption of guilt which robs them of the presumption of innocence and dims their view of what may be possible in their world and their lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The actor and playwright Wallace Shawn has defended Woody Allen's character as charges of sexual abuse are levelled at him by his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow, warning people away from kneejerk assumptions of guilt.

The Guardian - Film

It takes micro-defenses, if you will, to manage these daily assumptions of guilt, whether you're a teen stopped on the street, a shopper followed in a store, or a Harvard professor arrested for entering your own house.

The Guardian - Opinion

Assumptions of guilt went straight to the Iranian regime.

Vice

We as Americans must reject the corrupting logic of torture, with its dangerous assumptions of guilt and innocence, and work hard to see every other person as a human being first, with infinite dignity and worth.

Huffington Post

His decision to stand trial helped free the country from UN sanctions that imposed 12 years of collective punishment on the assumption of his guilt.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific context: is it a legal matter, a social issue, or a personal judgment? Choose the phrase that best reflects the nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "assumption of guilt" in everyday situations where a simpler phrase like "mistrust" or "suspicion" would suffice. Overusing legal or ethical terminology can sound overly dramatic or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assumption of guilt" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a concept or state of mind, specifically the act of presuming someone's guilt before having sufficient evidence. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "assumption of guilt" is a noun phrase that describes the act of presuming someone is guilty without adequate evidence. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and used in formal contexts such as News & Media and Science. The phrase serves to critique injustice or bias and advocate for due process. Related phrases include "presumption of guilt", "inference of guilt" and "attribution of guilt". When writing, it's crucial to use this phrase when you want to highlight that someone is being treated as guilty without proper evidence and avoid overusing it in everyday informal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

presumption of guilt

Focuses on the legal and ethical implications of presuming someone is guilty.

inference of guilt

Highlights the process of drawing a conclusion of guilt based on available information.

attribution of guilt

Emphasizes the act of assigning guilt to someone.

presupposition of guilt

Implies a prior belief in someone's guilt before evidence is presented.

accusation of guilt

Focuses on the formal charge or claim of guilt.

premise of guilt

Suggests that guilt is taken as a starting point or foundation.

charge of guilt

Highlights the indictment or formal accusation of guilt.

belief in guilt

Emphasizes the subjective conviction that someone is guilty.

conclusion of guilt

Indicates that guilt has been determined after some consideration.

implication of guilt

Suggests that guilt is implied or hinted at, rather than explicitly stated.

FAQs

What does "assumption of guilt" mean?

The "assumption of guilt" refers to the act of presuming someone is guilty of a crime or wrongdoing before sufficient evidence has been presented to prove it. It's the opposite of the "presumption of innocence".

How does the "assumption of guilt" impact legal proceedings?

The "assumption of guilt" can undermine fair trials and due process. When individuals are perceived as guilty before a trial begins, it can influence jury bias, media coverage, and the overall administration of justice, leading to unfair outcomes.

What are some alternatives to "assumption of guilt"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "presumption of guilt", "inference of guilt", or "attribution of guilt".

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "assumption of guilt"?

The phrase "assumption of guilt" is appropriate in contexts where you are discussing legal rights, ethical principles, or situations where someone is treated as though their guilt is already established. It's often used in contrast to the idea of innocent until proven guilty.