Are you innocent until proven guilty?

I am Attorney James Fifelski, and I want to help lead the fight for the presumption of innocence. Lawyers and non-lawyers are both heavily affected by the words "innocent until proven guilty", and it is my goal to fight for that truth.

[Jman]

I was once falsely accused of stealing MY OWN car. Pulled over by about 7 troopers, guns drawn, all giving me different instructions, screaming at me, I asked "What did I do?" (I thought I was being framed for a bank robbery or something) only to be told "YOU KNOW DAMN WELL" and F*** YOU". After I was roughly cuffed (to the point I couldn't feel my hands they were on so tight) and basically thrown in the back of a car for 45 minutes (I think one actually spat at me), I hear one of the geniuses on his radio saying "This might be the RO (registered owner)". I remembered about a month back I reported my car stolen because it had been wrongly towed. I got it back a few days later and made sure my records were amended to reflect that. WELL GUESS WHAT... You guessed it, They FAILED to do so, and on a random plate scan, my car came up as "reported stolen". I was accused of grand theft auto! Not that they would TELL ME or READ ME MY RIGHTS (I gave no info regardless). They were SO NICE to me when they realized they F*CKED UP and cleared the record on the spot. I said I was just relieved I hadn't been framed for something, but dropped a hint an attorney would be in touch. The lieutenant (yes, a higher up) on scene gave me his card (you know, just in case I got pulled over again so I'd be Teflon in future stops). So no lawyer called them. But damn, I was clueless, and that was a PTSD inducer. Ever since, whenever a cop is behind me, I nearly have a full on panic attack. To them, I'm nervous out of guilt, but they have no idea what they put me through in 2006 out of overzealousness and misinformation.

So their PRESUMPTION OF GUILT manifested itself in a very ugly, threatening way. I was innocent. Anyway, thought you'd like the story.

And as much as I hate to say this or make it sound racial, I can't imagine how much worse it would have been if I wasn't a white guy just like ALL OF THEM. Recent events have given me a hell of a lot of sympathy for those profiled (which we know happens all the time) and go through 100x worse. In 2021. When are we all going to be human beings in the eyes of law enforcement and treated as such? IMO, if one person is treated unjustly because of their race, looks, gender, etc., then none of us are safe.

[malcolmabram]

Pupil, 'Miss, can I be punished for something that I have not done?'

Miss, 'Of course not, that goes against natural justice.'

Pupil, 'Great, because I have not done my homework. '

[Thundralight]

The concept of "innocent until proven guilty" is a cornerstone of our justice system. However, it seems contradictory when people accused of crimes are handcuffed, jailed, and potentially held for months before trial, especially if they can't afford bail. This pretrial detention based solely on financial status raises concerns about fairness and equal treatment under the law.

[anthonyseymour]

I completely agree with you James and am disappointed at the response your plea has received.

[superbuu]

I’m starting to think JAIL is unconstitutional. If you are presumed innocent until proven guilty, then how can a police officer kidnap you and imprison you and then demand money for your release ?

Shouldn’t cops issue citations to those presumed to be in act of a crime or infraction, and then have a day in court? To which a warrant is issued if the defendant doesn’t show? That shows more of a belief of innocent until proven guilty and still does the same thing g to make sure the accused have a day in court I. Front of (hopefully) a random jury to make case. Literally don’t have to change anything besides getting rid of jail and all of those paid correctional officers and staff etc. free up more money to use for more court dates and personnel to get more fines out of people.

I honestly think it’ll be more profitable to just ticket and fine people and allow then to pay under knowledge of arrest and imprisonment if they don’t. So much more money. Literally everyone would be on a payment plan to avoid prison. And the money freed up from not having to pay for maintenance of a jail, or the building of it, would be monumental. It would literally save the world to get rid of jails but keep prison and only let the convicted in court be sent there, or those who refuse to make a simple payment plan.

With the estimated 2 million in the system now as of 2021, just 10 percent of them paying 10 bucks a month is already 2 million a month profit ONTOP of the profit from cancelling all jails and staff salaries and food contracts. Monumental profit to be made by slicing the system in half and still keeping the most important part, prison and court to send you to prison.

The only change is a nationwide task force to act out the courts wishes. Which is already half established. Just fill in and continue.

Literally, how can you be innocent until proven guilty, but be kidnapped, and imprisoned against your will and then have your freedom bargained against cash?

Wtf? Doesn’t even make legal or lawful sense, and I’m trying to understand. Help me. I believe my system if properly implemented, could reduce stress and crime, and actually improve financial resources. A win win for all. The only loser would be those who like to imprison people against thier will or fair trial. Which is a win for the positive.

Government should hire me, but then again, I’m all about actual freedom and justice not manipulated outcomes

[potatoxel]

Do you think confessions should be counted as sufficient evidence or should be not be? What if someone confessed (falsely) that they are guilty although they are actually inoccent because of a threat from someone else? Thanks.

[ShinsekaiAcademy]

Back in the days of early Muslims, when people had values, Omar ibn Alkhattab, The second Khalifa of Muslims, namely the prince of believers,
He said:" Evidence for the accuser and Swearing by god for the denier". Of course, back then people would not lie casually, let alone in an instance of being accused of guilt, let alone swearing by God, so If somebody swore by god, in the eyes of the crowds, it would either mean that they are telling the truth and case is over, or it would mean that they stooped too low to be looked at as human beings after swearing falsely by god, it was the utmost level of humiliation for somebody's honor. Was a marvelous saying for that time.

[xinyimai]

I have been in Australia (mainly Adelaide and Melbourne) for many years. And I found the bullies in Adelaide and their helpers probably rank the first in the world for they are extremely disgusting, evil and judge innocent people guilty by guess, imagination and one sided stories (they are usually lies) until proven innocent. Also the bullies in Adelaide are very sick and cruel for they live in Australia but have strong connection with the powerful oppositon politcal group and bad people in mainland China.

[mistaoutlaw]

Not in my experience. Its always been the reverse for me