Permissibility of the Reverse Burden of Proof and its Limits in Criminal Proceedings in the Context of the Presumption of Innocence

Authors

  • Jānis Rozenbergs

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22364/jull.15.18

Keywords:

criminal procedure, reverse burden of proof, presumption of innocence, right to a fair trial

Abstract

This publication explores the limits of admissibility of the reverse burden of proof in criminal proceedings. To determine these limits, the reverse burden of proof is tested vis-à-vis the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence in criminal proceedings. In searching for answers to the advanced question, the Latvian criminal procedural regulation is analysed in the context of the findings made in the Latvian and foreign theory of criminal procedure law, fundamental rights enshrined in the Satversme [Constitution] of the Republic of Latvia and the case law of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia, as well as international legal regulation and case law of the European Court of Human Rights.

Author Biography

Jānis Rozenbergs

Dr. iur.
Faculty of Law, University of Latvia
Lecturer at the Department of Criminal Law

References

Gribonika, Ē. Pierādīšanas standarts un pienākums noziedzīgi iegūtu līdzekļu legalizācijas lietās [Standard of proof and burden of proof in money laundering cases]. Jurista Vārds, No. 5 (1167), 2021.

Strada-Rozenberga, K. Juridisko personu nevainīguma prezumpcija kriminālprocesā [Presumption of innocence of legal persons in criminal proceedings]. Autoru kolektīvs, Juridisko personu publiski tiesiskā atbildība: aktualitātes, problēmas un iespējamie risinājumi [Public Legal Liability of Legal Entities: Current Issues, Problems and Possible Solutions]. Riga, University of Latvia Press, 2018.

Strada-Rozenberga, K. Pierādīšanas teorija kriminālprocesā, vispārīgā daļa [Theory of proof in criminal proceedings, general part]. Riga, Biznesa augstskola Turība, 2002.

Allen, J. Rethinking the relationship between reverse burdens and the presumption of innocence. The International Journal of Evidence & Proof. Vol. 25(2), 2021.

Ashworth, A. Four threats to the presumption of innocence. The International Journal of Evidence and Proof, No. 10, 2006.

Dawkins, K. E. Statutory Presumptions and Reverse Onus Clauses in the Criminal Law: In Search of Rationality. Canterbury Law Review, Vol. 3, No. 2, 1987.

Grey, A. D. The presumption of innocence under attack. New Criminal Law Review: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal, Vol. 20, No. 4, Fall 2017.

Hamer, D. Presumptions, standards and burdens: managing the cost of error. Law, Probability and Risk, Vol. 13, issue 3–4, September–December, 2014.

Hamer, D. A Dynamic Reconstruction of the Presumption of Innocence. Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, Vol. 31, No. 2, 2011.

Hamer, D. The presumption of innocence and reverse burdens: A balance act. Cambridge Law Journal, 66(1), 2007.

Murphy, P. Murphy to Evidence. 5th edition. London, Blackstone Press, 1995.

Picinali, F. Innocence and burdens of proof in English criminal law. Law, Probability and Risk, Vol.13 (3–4), 2014.

Roberts, P., Hunter, J. Criminal Evidence and Human Rights. Reimagining Common Law Procedural Traditions. Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2013.

Sheldrick, B. M. Shifting Burdens and Required Inferences: The Constitutionality of Reverse Onus Clauses. University of Toronto Faculty of Law Review, Vol. 44, No. 2, Fall 1986.

Stumer, A. The Presumption of Innocence. Evidential and Human Right Perspectives. Oxford: Hart Publishing Ltd, 2000.

Tadros, V. Rethinking the presumption of innocence. Criminal Law and Philosophy, Vol. 1 (2), 2007.

Latvijas Republikas Satversme [The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia] (15.02.1922). Available: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/57980-latvijas-republikas-satversme [last viewed 10.04.2022].

UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (10.12.1948). Available: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights [last viewed 10.04.2022].

UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (16.12.1966). Available: https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights [last viewed 10.04.2022].

Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (04.11.1950). Available: https://echr.coe.int/Documents/Convention_ENG.pdf [last viewed 10.04.2022].

Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (26.10.2012.). Available: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:12012P/TXT&from=LV [last viewed 10.04.2022].

Directive (EU) 2016/343 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the strengthening of certain aspects of the presumption of innocence and of the right to be present at the trial in criminal proceedings (09.03.2016). Available: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016L0343&from=LV [last viewed 10.04.2022].

Latvijas Republikas Saeimas 21.04.2005. likums “Kriminālprocesa likums” ar grozījumiem [“Criminal Procedure Law” of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia of 21.04.2005, as amended]. Available: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/107820-kriminalprocesa-likums [last viewed 10.04.2022.]

Latvijas Republikas Saeimas 22.06.2017. likums “Grozījumi Kriminālprocesa likumā” [Amendments to Criminal Procedure Law of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia of 22.06.2017]. Available: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/292018-grozijumi-kriminalprocesa-likuma [last viewed 10.04.2022].

Latvijas Republikas Saeimas 21.11.2019. likums “Grozījumi Kriminālprocesa likumā” [Amendments to Criminal Procedure Law of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia of 21.11.2019]. Available: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/311271-grozijumi-kriminalprocesa-likuma [last viewed 10.04.2022].

Decision in case Salabiaku v. France, 07.10.1988., application No. 10519/83. Available: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22languageisocode%22:[%22ENG%22],%22appno%22:[%2210519/83%22],%22documentcollectionid2%22:[%22CHAMBER%22],%22itemid%22:[%22001-57570%22]} [last viewed 10.04.2022].

Decision in case John Murray v. The United Kingdom, 08.2.1996., application No. 18731/91. Available: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22fulltext%22:[%22John%20Murray%22],%22documentcollectionid2%22:[%22GRANDCHAMBER%22,%22CHAMBER%22],%22itemid%22:[%22001-57980%22]} [last viewed 10.04.2022].

Satversmes tiesas 15.11.2016. spriedums lietā Nr. 2015-25-01 [15.11.2016. Judgement of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia in case No. 2015-25-01]. Available: https://www.satv.tiesa.gov.lv/web/viewer.html?file=/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2015-25-01_Spriedums.pdf#search= [last viewed 10.04.2022].

Satversmes tiesas 28.03.2013. spriedums lietā Nr. 2012-15-01 [28.03.2013. Judgement of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia in case No. 2012-15-01]. Available: https://www.satv.tiesa.gov.lv/web/viewer.html?file=/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2012-15-01_Spriedums.pdf#search= [last viewed 10.04.2022].

Decision of 17.12.2013. of the Senate of the Supreme Court in case No. 16870000208 (SKK-0216-1). Available: https://manas.tiesas.lv/eTiesasMvc/nolemumi/pdf/138975.pdf [last viewed 10.04.2022].

Decision of 07.01.2015. of the Senate of the Supreme Court in case No. 11521045809 (SKK-J-0022-15). Available: https://manas.tiesas.lv/eTiesasMvc/nolemumi/pdf/198393.pdf. [last viewed 10.04.2022].

Preliminary Impact Assessment Report (annotation) of the 12th Saeima Draft Law No. 630 / Lp12 “Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Law”. Available: http://titania.saeima.lv/LIVS12/SaeimaLIVS12.nsf/0/AB2871419A747C7FC2258011002DD2FA?OpenDocument [last viewed 10.04.2022].

Downloads

Published

2022-11-16

How to Cite

Rozenbergs, J. (2022). Permissibility of the Reverse Burden of Proof and its Limits in Criminal Proceedings in the Context of the Presumption of Innocence. Journal of the University of Latvia. Law, 15, 266–281. https://doi.org/10.22364/jull.15.18