WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE RIGHT OF PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE?

> The  right  means  that  the  presumption  must  be  overcome  by evidence of guilt beyond reasonable doubt

1.    Guilt  beyond  reasonable  doubt  means  that  there  is  moral certainty as to the guilt of the accused

2.    Accusation is not synonymous to guilt—conviction should then be based on the strength of the evidence of the prosecution and not the weakness of the defense
 

WHAT IS THE RATIONALE FOR THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE?

> There ought to be a balance between the machineries of the State and the accused
 

WHAT ARE THE EXCEPTIONS TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE?  

1.    If  there  is  a  REASONABLE   CONNECTION  between  the  fact presumed  and  the  fact  ultimately  proven  from  such  fact.    For example,  an  accountable  public  officer  who  fails  to  account  for
funds or property that should be in his custody is presumed to be guilty  of  malversation  of  public  funds;   or   that  persons  in possession  of  recently  stolen  goods  are  presumed  guilty  of  the
offense in connection with the goods

2.    In  cases  of  SELF-DEFENSE,  the  person  who  invokes  the  self-defense is presumed guilty.  The burden of proving the elements of self-defense is incumbent upon the accused.