Blackface, #MeToo and the presumption of innocence

Letter to the Editor

By Michael S. Baird

SOMETHING TO SAY? We consider letters to the editor one important way to fulfill our ongoing mission to enlighten readers, provoke thought and encourage robust debate on the issues of the day. For guidelines on submitting comments, e-mail editor@lawbulletinmedia.com.

Posted February 15, 2019 11:34 AM

Michael S. Baird is a partner at Stotis & Baird Chtd. He writes in the wake of the recent scandal surrounding Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, who is facing calls for his resignation over photos showing people wearing racist costumes on his page in a medical school yearbook.We don’t send someone to jail unless the prosecutor is able to overcome the presumption of innocence. We require proof beyond a reasonable doubt to take away somebody’s liberty. For all other purposes, the standard is “more probably …

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