It is better that ten guilty persons escape, than that one innocent suffer.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- This famous principle prioritizes protecting the innocent over punishing every guilty person.
- In plain terms
- It is preferable to let some guilty people go free than to punish an innocent person.
- What can you take from it?
- Protecting the innocent is more important than convicting every guilty person.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Where should the balance lie between convicting the guilty and protecting the innocent?
- Does this principle apply equally in all legal systems?
Another view
Some argue this standard is too lenient and may allow too many guilty people to escape justice.
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