declaration of innocence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "declaration of innocence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts or discussions about someone's assertion of being innocent of a crime or wrongdoing. Example: "The defendant made a formal declaration of innocence during the trial, asserting that he had no involvement in the alleged crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Axford said he was confident that Braun would win his appeal because he trusted Braun's declaration of innocence.

The New York Times - Sports

It will be up to a judge to decide if Tribble deserves a retrial or a declaration of innocence.

The Washington Post

Throwing out the convictions, though, does not give the five men what they want: a declaration of innocence.

The New York Times

He told reporters that Bill Gates had "a Napoleonic concept of himself," and compared Microsoft's declaration of innocence to the protestations of gangland killers.

The New York Times

Mickey McKinney, whose brother Willie, 27, was shot dead, said: "We want the truth – a declaration of innocence and a recommendation that those responsible are prosecuted".

The Guardian

Or will it be some new, as-yet-unheard declaration of innocence, at a time when his reputation couldn't get much worse?

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

So far Mr Romney has countered only with declarations of innocence.

Independent

The bank asked for declarations of innocence at a high court hearing in London.

The Guardian - Sport

The same allegations of sexual abuse resurfaced about four years ago, but the synagogue accepted Rabbi Finkelstein's declarations of innocence because no charges had been filed.

The New York Times

Mr. Stevens's brief declarations of innocence came at the end of two days in which defense witnesses including Mr. Stevens's wife, Catherine Stevens, were subjected to strong cross-examinations by Justice Department prosecutors.

The New York Times

House investigators challenged Mr. Scrushy, who has not been charged with a crime, to repeat declarations of innocence that he made in a "60 Minutes" television interview on Sunday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs than "make" or "issue" when describing the declaration. Verbs like "asserted", "proclaimed", or "maintained" can add nuance and emphasis to the sentence.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "declaration of innocence" with the "presumption of innocence". A "declaration of innocence" is an active statement made by an individual, while the "presumption of innocence" is a legal principle that the accused is innocent until proven guilty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declaration of innocence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act or instance of someone stating their lack of guilt. As Ludwig AI points out, this usage is consistent with examples found in various sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

8%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "declaration of innocence" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that functions to assert a lack of guilt, often in the context of legal or public scrutiny. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct. It's primarily found in news and media sources and carries a neutral register. While "declaration of innocence" is not as frequent as other phrases, it is a precise term for a formal assertion of blamelessness. Be mindful to use it accurately to avoid confusion with related concepts like the "presumption of innocence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assertion of innocence

Replaces "declaration" with "assertion", focusing on the act of stating innocence.

proclamation of innocence

Substitutes "declaration" with "proclamation", suggesting a more formal or public announcement.

statement of non-guilt

Replaces "declaration of innocence" with a direct statement denying guilt.

claim of innocence

Uses "claim" instead of "declaration", indicating a personal assertion.

avowal of innocence

Replaces "declaration" with "avowal", implying a solemn or emphatic declaration.

plea of innocence

Uses "plea" to suggest a formal request or defense based on innocence.

vindication of innocence

Shifts the focus to proving or justifying innocence, rather than simply declaring it.

exoneration

Conveys the act of being cleared of charges or blame, often implying external validation.

acquittal

Refers to a legal judgment of not guilty, indicating a formal finding of innocence.

finding of non-culpability

A formal and legalistic way of expressing that someone is not found to be at fault.

FAQs

What does "declaration of innocence" mean in a legal context?

In a legal context, a "declaration of innocence" is a formal statement by a person asserting that they are not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing. It is not a legal defense but rather a personal assertion, distinct from the legal "presumption of innocence".

When might someone make a "declaration of innocence"?

Someone might make a "declaration of innocence" when accused of a crime, facing public scrutiny, or seeking to clear their name after being implicated in wrongdoing. It's a way to publicly assert their lack of guilt.

What are some alternatives to "declaration of innocence"?

Alternatives include "assertion of innocence", "proclamation of innocence", "claim of innocence", or simply stating "I am innocent". The best choice depends on the formality and context.

How is a "declaration of innocence" different from being found not guilty?

A "declaration of innocence" is a statement made by the person, whereas a finding of not guilty or an "acquittal" is a legal judgment. A person can declare their innocence, but it does not guarantee they will be found not guilty in court.