Over the years, I've sought to discover and to understand the principles of liberty.  I've discovered some of them and acquired an understanding of those that I've discovered.  I don't claim to have discovered all of the principles of liberty.

In the next section of this little essay, I've presented those principles of liberty of which I'm aware.  In the section after that, I've presented each principle again, followed by some examples.

I encourage you to search for other principles of liberty and to think of other examples of your own, besides those that I've included in this essay.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Page 1

Cause of Action — There isn't a cause of action until there's a victim.  Someone cannot legitimately be prosecuted merely for something that he might do.  Prosecution cannot legitimately be based on mere speculation.  Prosecution legitimately can be based only on actions.

Obligation — There isn't any obligation under duress.  If someone is compelled by force or by the threat of force to make an agreement that he didn't want to make, then the agreement isn't binding upon him.  If someone is compelled by force or by the threat of force to do something that he didn't want to do, then the consequences of what he did cannot be held against him.

Presumption of Innocence — A person must be presumed innocent.  He doesn't have to prove his innocence.  His refusal to attempt to prove his innocence cannot be used against him.

Burden of Proof — If someone believes that a person is guilty of something, then the accuser must prove it without the accused person's help.  The accuser, not the accused person, must bear the burden of proof.  A person doesn't have to do anything or say anything that might help the accuser to prove his guilt.

Self Incrimination — A person doesn't have to provide information that might be used against him.  His refusal to provide such information cannot be used against him.

Silence — An accused person doesn't have to provide any information at all.  His refusal to provide information cannot be used against him.

Jurisdiction — A jurisdiction doesn't legitimately apply to somebody unless he specifically and voluntarily submits to it.  He doesn't have to prove that such a jurisdiction doesn't apply to him.  Anyone who claims that a jurisdiction does apply to him must prove that it does.  He doesn't have to help.  His refusal to help cannot be used against him.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Page 3

Cause of Action — There isn't a cause of action until there's a victim.  Someone cannot legitimately be prosecuted merely for something that he might do.  Prosecution cannot legitimately be based on mere speculation.  Prosecution legitimately can be based only on actions.

Concealed Weapons — A person cannot legitimately be prosecuted merely for possessing a concealed weapon.  Possessing a concealed weapon, in and of itself, is harmless.  It isn't possible to prove that somebody will ever cause any harm, merely because of possessing a concealed weapon.  He might carry the weapon for his entire life and never cause any harm.  Prosecution cannot legitimately be based on capabilities or probabilities, but only on actual consequences. Conspiracies — A person cannot legitimately be prosecuted merely for planning to do something.  Merely planning to do something doesn't prove that he will ever actually do it.  A conspiracy, in and of itself, is harmless.  Conspirators cannot legitimately be prosecuted merely for planning something.  Prosecution cannot legitimately be based on mere speculation.  Prosecution can legitimately be based only on actions.

Obligation — There isn't any obligation under duress.  If someone is compelled by force or by the threat of force to make an agreement that he didn't want to make, then the agreement isn't binding upon him.  If someone is compelled by force or by the threat of force to do something that he didn't want to do, then the consequences of what he did cannot be held against him.

Child Support Payments — If a man is compelled by force or by the threat of force to agree to make child support payments, then he doesn't have any obligation to continue making the payments.  He cannot legitimately be prosecuted for discontinuing the payments.  He's obligated to make the payments only if he agreed to make the payments without duress.  By the way, a "shotgun wedding" is an example of duress.  A man isn't obligated in any way to a wife if he was compelled by force or by the threat of force to marry her. Tax Returns — If someone is compelled by force or by the threat of force to file a tax return, then he doesn't have any obligation to file either a truthful return or a complete return.  Indeed, he doesn't have any obligation to file any return at all. Car Insurance — If someone is compelled by force or by the threat of force to buy car insurance then he doesn't have any obligation to comply with any terms or conditions of the insurance, or even to continue paying for it.

Presumption of Innocence — A person must be presumed innocent.  He doesn't have to prove his innocence.  His refusal to attempt to prove his innocence cannot be used against him.

Paternity Accusations — A man accused of paternity, who denies the accusation, must be presumed to not be the father.  He cannot legitimately be required to prove that he isn't the father.  He cannot legitimately be required to submit to any test intended to prove that he isn't the father, including DNA testing or lie detector testing.  He must be presumed innocent. Criminal Accusations — Innocence must be presumed.  Somebody doesn't have to prove that he's innocent.  That includes any form of lie detection, such as drugs, electronic lie detection, or any other method.  He doesn't have to swear on a Bible.  He must be presumed innocent.  He doesn't have to prove it.

Page 5