Prosecutorial responsibility and the presumption of innocence in the legal philosophy of the modern rule of law state

Resumo

The principle of presumption of innocence constitutes one of the fundamental pillars of a democratic justice system and reflects the humanistic and rule of law values underlying modern legal philosophy. It expresses the idea that state power in criminal justice must be limited by legal norms in order to protect human dignity and fundamental rights. In the context of judicial reform and the transition toward a modern judicial model in Vietnam, ensuring the effective implementation of this principle raises new institutional and professional requirements for the People’s Procuracy in exercising prosecutorial power and supervising judicial activities. This article examines the philosophical, theoretical, and legal foundations of the presumption of innocence and analyzes the responsibilities of the People’s Procuracy in ensuring the implementation of this principle throughout different stages of criminal proceedings. On that basis, the study clarifies the scope and content of prosecutorial responsibility in protecting procedural fairness and preventing wrongful convictions. The article also proposes directions for institutional, procedural, and professional reforms aimed at strengthening prosecutorial accountability and contributing to the development of a professional, fair, strict, and integrity based justice system in the era of modern justice.