Why arrest does not equal guilt, and how our editorial language avoids misleading implications about individuals.
Independent information: We are not a government agency, and an arrest is not proof of guilt.
Core principle
In the United States, an accusation or arrest is not a judicial finding of guilt. The legal presumption of innocence applies to criminal prosecution, and our publication also adopts careful editorial language to avoid implying that an arrest proves wrongdoing.
Different stages of a matter
An encounter, arrest, booking, charge, indictment, hearing, plea, conviction, acquittal and dismissal describe distinct events. Articles should not collapse them into the same category or imply a later outcome not shown by an official source.
When dispositions change
Charges may be reduced, dismissed or resolved in different ways. Court docket information may change after an initial arrest report is released. Where material, content should indicate that records may not include the latest disposition.
Responsible identification
We avoid unnecessary speculation, guilt-by-association or extrapolation from namesakes. Readers should never use our descriptions to assert that a particular person has committed a crime.
Respecting record limits
Juvenile, sealed, expunged, protected victim and other restricted records may have special rules. We do not direct readers to circumvent access controls.
Correcting unfair implications
Report misleading wording, misidentified people or omitted relevant official outcomes to [email protected] and include an authoritative reference.