Rather let the crime of the guilty go unpunished than condemn the innocent

Rather let the crime of the guilty go unpunished than condemn the innocent

In the context of Justinian I, the quote "Rather let the crime of the guilty go unpunished than condemn the innocent" holds significant relevance. Justinian I, also known as Justinian the Great, was a Byzantine emperor who ruled from 527 to 565 AD. He is remembered for his efforts to codify Roman law and bring about legal reforms that aimed to ensure justice and fairness in society.

During Justinian's reign, the legal system in the Byzantine Empire was based on Roman law, which emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of individuals and ensuring that justice was served. The quote reflects the principle of "innocent until proven guilty," which was a fundamental aspect of Roman law and one that Justinian sought to uphold.

Justinian's legal reforms were aimed at ensuring that the guilty were punished for their crimes, but also that the innocent were protected from unjust accusations and wrongful convictions. He understood the importance of maintaining the integrity of the legal system and ensuring that justice was served in a fair and impartial manner.