New researches in Islamic humanities studies

New researches in Islamic humanities studies

The Interaction and Tension Between Presumptions and the Principle of Presumption of Innocence in Criminal Law

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mahbube Amini 1
Hamed Rahdarpour 2
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Faculty of Law, Political Science and History, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Lorestan University, Lorestan, Iran
10.22034/api.2025.2043139.1062
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the principle of the presumption of innocence in criminal proceedings and to explain the circumstances under which deviations from this principle occur, with particular emphasis on the concept of the “presumed matter” and its effects on the judicial process. The study also seeks to clarify the position of this concept within the legal system and its relationship with the guarantee of a fair trial.
Method: This research was conducted using a descriptive analytical method. In addition to independently examining the nature of the presumed matter, the contexts that allow departure from the presumption of innocenc including the legal element, as well as the various components of the material element and the mental element of crime have been analyzed. In this regard, statutory sources, legal doctrine, and several relevant legislative examples have also been examined.
Results: The findings indicate that presumed matters manifest in criminal proceedings in three forms. First, the reversal of the burden of proof, whereby the accused must present evidence to establish their innocence. Second, the emergence of presumed matters in the form of irrebuttable presumptions of guilt, in which proving the contrary is impossible; examples of this can be found in Articles 3, 7, and 10 of the Check Law, Article 10 of the Charter of the Nuremberg Tribunal, and Paragraph (b) of Article 290 of the Islamic Penal Code of 2013. Third, the modification of the presumption of innocence through the alteration or adjustment of evidentiary rules in criminal proceedings. In such cases, the complainant is still required to provide evidence, but the nature and type of the evidence are modified, with qasamah (oath-based proof) representing a prominent example. These different manifestations highlight the significant role of legal presumptions in shaping the evidentiary process in criminal justice.
Conclusions: The results of the study demonstrate that although the presumption of innocence is recognized as one of the fundamental principles of fair trial and human rights, it may in certain circumstances be limited or modified through the mechanism of presumed matters. This may occur through the reversal of the burden of proof, the creation of irrebuttable presumptions, or changes in evidentiary requirements in criminal proceedings. Therefore, careful attention to the scope and conditions of applying such presumptions appears essential in order to prevent the weakening of the rights of the accused.
Keywords
Presumption of Innocence
Legal Presumption
Reversal of the Burden of Proof
Modification of the Presumption of Innocence
Irrebuttable Presumption of Guilt
Subjects
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New researches in Islamic humanities studies
Volume 4, Issue 8 - Serial Number 8
December 2025
Pages 1-22