The presumption of innocence is one of the key principles of criminal procedure which guarantees fairness of proceedings and protection of human rights. In the context of Ukraine’s European integration, it is of particular importance to analyze its doctrinal and regulatory content through the prism of the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights, and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and the EU Court of Justice.

The purpose of the study is to provide a comparative legal analysis of the development of the concept of presumption of innocence in the case law of the ECtHR, to identify the main approaches of the Court to its application in criminal proceedings and related proceedings, and to assess their implementation in Ukrainian legislation and law enforcement. Particular attention is paid to the standards of proof of guilt, ensuring a balance between state interests and individual rights, as well as the risks of violation of this principle in the practice of Ukrainian courts and law enforcement agencies.

The study identifies the following key approaches of the ECHR to the presumption of innocence. The inadmissibility of premature public statements by officials and state bodies that may form public beliefs about a person’s guilt before a verdict is passed. The wording of court decisions should exclude any hints of guilt in the absence of a guilty verdict. The presumption of innocence also applies to post-criminal procedures – a person cannot be considered guilty in administrative or civil cases without a court decision. Administrative sanctions may be imposed, but they should not acquire the characteristics of criminal punishment and should not contradict the presumption of innocence. The denial of compensation after a conviction has been overturned does not automatically violate the presumption of innocence, unless it hints at actual guilt. Shifting the burden of proof to the defense contradicts the principle of the presumption of innocence and is a violation of Article 6 of the Convention.

The study confirms the complex nature of the presumption of innocence and the need for its strict observance in all areas of law enforcement in accordance with the ECHR standards. The conclusions of the study can be used to improve the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, to bring its provisions in line with European standards and to introduce additional guarantees for the protection of the rights of accused persons.

Bibliography

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Journal articles

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Newspapers articles

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