In the U.S., the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the Prosecutor. What is the name for this justice system?

• A. Adversary
• B. Inquisitorial
• C. Monologic
• D. Consensus

Answer: (A)

Adversary system. In the United States, the accused is presumed innocent until the prosecution proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and two opposing sides—the prosecution and the defense—present their evidence and arguments before an impartial judge or jury. The prosecutor bears the burden of proving guilt, while the defense challenges the evidence and offers alternate explanations. This setup emphasizes contest between sides and fair procedure, which differs from inquisitorial systems where a judge takes a more active role in investigating the case. Monologic and consensus aren’t used to describe how criminal cases are conducted.