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RE: Two Degrees of Emancipation Between You and a Jail Cell
Presumption of Innocence is something we seem to have lost in public consciousness here in the US. The popular attitude seems to be a presumption of guilt especially pertaining to drunk driving and sex related offenses. I've known people who, once accused of an offense, had to kiss their career goodbye, even though they were never convicted of anything. Just the accusation was enough.
Something similar happened to my husband's nephew. He was accused of something he didn't do, but once it was in the local paper, he got harassed by people who knew him while he was out on bail. His parents mortgaged their houses and sold most anything of value they owned to get him a good lawyer, so he wouldn't have to just take a public defender.
He was eventually found innocent. But, he was so disgusted by the whole situation, how it came about, and how those who claimed to be his friends kept suggesting he was really guilty, even after the case was closed, he got a job overseas and moved out of the country. He's engaged to a girl in his new adopted nation, and has no intention of coming back here. I can't say I blame him.