theme C

• suggest two ways in which the presumption of innocence upholds rights and freedom?

  citizens accused of a crime are given a fair and free trial. The citizens that are accused have access to equality before the law.
• innocence until proven guilty - anyone who is brought to court is innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt
• equality before the law - the law applies to everyone equally regardless of gender , ethnicity, religion , age or disability (presumption of innocence)
• criminal law- protect the public from harm

  crimes against criminal law: theft, assault, manslaughter, murder, fraud, arson, and theft
• civil law - is to dispute cases involving rights between groups or individuals : copyright disputes , work related disputes , family matters such as divorce or child custody.
• for criminal law cases are heard mainly in magistrate courts or crown court
• for civil law cases are heard in the county court , high court, family court or by tribunal ,depending on the type of case
• Citizens should not be wrongly accused of a crime. the law can not access a citizen straight away because of ' innocence until proven guilty' , so the court can not accuse a citizen because of a crime based on their religion, ethnicity , gender or age and should be able to have a fair and free trial.
• The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10 . In Scotland it is 8, although a bill in 2018 debated to increase it to age 12
• children aged 10 are considered old enough to understand the difference between right and wrong and are held responsible for the things they do