Introduction
This paper examines the question of whether those acquitted of their criminal charges are really innocent. It may be recalled that this question was discussed fifty years ago by Harry Kavlen and Hans Zeisel in their 1966 monograph The American Jury. They have reflected the view that judges are of the opinion that most of the acquittals are not correct and that they are attributable to the jury’s commitment to values although the judges’ criminal justice system have been perfect in its obligations. Jurors do not convict guilty when they can justify ignoring the formal demands of law. ...