3.2 Charge Against Defendant Not Evidence-Presumption of Innocence-Burden of Proof. Is a legal principle that is part of criminal law. This principle states that in a criminal trial the burden of proof lies with the prosecution to prove that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The presumption of innocence is the legal presumption that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty. This means that the defendant does not have to provide any evidence of innocence and the court will not consider any evidence that is not provided by the prosecution. The charge against the defendant is not evidence and is not sufficient to prove guilt. The prosecution must provide sufficient evidence to support the charge for a conviction to be made.