The statement is a jarring one. Most of us react to such claim by saying “that’s exactly what it means, actually.” But aside from making a controversial billboard, the attorney that decided to make this statement the headline for his advertising started an important discussion. If you’ve ever served on a criminal jury, you know that the word “guilty” has a technical meaning in a court of law. But the principles behind the legal definition of guilty should not be contemplated for the first time in a jury box or deliberation room. In this article, I discuss an important perspective relevant to all of us, both in San Diego and elsewhere, whether or not we ever find ourselves with “defendant” following our name.
“Just Because You Did It, Doesn’t Mean You’re Guilty.”
