maintain innocence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain innocence" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to continue asserting one's innocence or denying any wrongdoing. Example: Despite the mounting evidence against him, the defendant maintained his innocence throughout the trial.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Kramer, then 52, entered a so-called Alford plea ― a type of guilty plea that acknowledges the strength of the evidence but allows the defendant to maintain innocence ― to three counts of child molestation. .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Some of Ms. Duff's allure can be attributed to her carefully maintained innocence.

The New York Times - Arts

Her objective is simply to establish a pattern of consistently maintained innocence.

SEP

Rockefeller impostor gets 27 years in prison; maintains innocence.

Los Angeles Times

("L.A. Unified food chief resigns under fire but maintains innocence," AUg. 3).

Los Angeles Times

I maintain my innocence".

The New York Times

(Both men maintain their innocence).

The New Yorker

I still maintain my innocence.

The New York Times

Both maintain their innocence.

The New York Times

He vowed to maintain his innocence.

The New York Times

They, like Mr. Maksimov, maintain their innocence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on legal cases, use "maintain innocence" to accurately reflect a defendant's ongoing assertion of not being guilty, even amidst evidence or plea deals suggesting otherwise.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain innocence" loosely after a defendant has entered an Alford plea. While it acknowledges evidence, the defendant still asserts innocence; ensure this nuance is clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain innocence" functions as a verbal expression, typically used in legal and journalistic contexts. It indicates a sustained declaration of not being guilty, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintain innocence" is grammatically correct and widely employed, especially within legal and news reporting. As Ludwig AI confirms, it conveys a continuous assertion of not being guilty. While many authoritative sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, use this phrase, it's crucial to understand its nuances, particularly in cases involving Alford pleas. Related phrases include "assert one's innocence" and "proclaim innocence", offering subtle variations in emphasis. When writing, ensure accurate usage by reflecting the ongoing nature of the claim and avoiding misuse in ambiguous legal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assert one's innocence

Focuses on the act of declaring innocence, rather than maintaining a continuous stance.

proclaim innocence

Emphasizes a formal or public declaration of being not guilty.

profess innocence

Similar to 'proclaim innocence', but can imply a more personal or heartfelt assertion.

declare freedom from guilt

Rephrases innocence as a state of being free from guilt, slightly more formal.

avow blamelessness

Uses less common and more formal vocabulary for expressing innocence.

deny culpability

Focuses on rejecting responsibility rather than asserting innocence.

plead not guilty

A legal term specifically used in court settings.

vindicate oneself

Focuses on proving one's innocence after accusations.

establish a pattern of innocence

Highlights the consistency in asserting innocence over time.

insist on lack of involvement

Shifts the focus to denying participation in a specific action.

FAQs

How can I use "maintain innocence" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain innocence" to describe someone's persistent claim of not being guilty, such as: "The suspect continued to "maintain innocence" despite the overwhelming evidence against them."

What does it mean to "maintain innocence" in a legal context?

In a legal context, to ""maintain innocence"" means that a person consistently asserts that they did not commit the crime they are accused of, even when faced with evidence or during legal proceedings.

Which is correct, "maintain innocence" or "maintained innocence"?

"Maintain innocence" is the base form, used when speaking generally or in the present tense. "Maintained innocence" is the past tense form, used to describe someone's past actions. For example: "He continues to "maintain innocence"", versus "He "maintained innocence" throughout the trial."

What are some synonyms for "maintain innocence"?

Synonyms for ""maintain innocence"" include "assert one's innocence", "proclaim innocence", or "profess innocence", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.