Search This Blog

About this Blog

During the semester, I shall post course material and students will comment on it. Students are also free to comment on any aspect of American politics, either current or historical. There are only two major limitations: no coarse language, and no derogatory comments about people at the Claremont Colleges. This blog is on the open Internet, so post nothing that you would not want a potential employer to see. Syllabus: http://gov20h.blogspot.com/2023/08/draft-introduction-to-american-politics.html

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

The Conflict between Presumption of Innocence and #MeToo Culture

https://www.usconstitution.net/constnot.html#innocent states that presumption of innocence comes “from English jurisprudence, and has been a part of that system for so long, that it is considered common law. The concept is embodied in several provisions of the Constitution, however, such as the right to remain silent and the right to a jury.”

On the other hand, pop culture (ie. #MeToo #ibelieveher #believewomen) and research surrounding proper treatment of possible assault survivors advise people to express belief to those who say they were assaulted. Not believing true survivors would obviously cause significantly more trauma. The following webpage from RAINN offers an example of this https://www.rainn.org/articles/tips-talking-survivors-sexual-assault.


It appears that American common law and precedent regarding presumptions of innocence and #MeToo culture are in conflict. Is there any way to reconcile these two conflicting forces?

No comments: