Can you explain this quote? Do you agree?

Question

That it is better one hundred guilty persons should escape than that one innocent person should suffer, is a maxim that has been long and generally approved. –Benjamin Franklin

Answer 1

This reminds me of what the high priest Caiaphas said about Jesus:

"... it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish." (John 11:50)

I guess it is the opposite of the quote you gave - in that it is better one innocent Man should suffer and die for the nation who is guilty. That is God's maxim compared to the world's maxim. And through the death of that innocent Man, the whole world is cleared from all guilt, and those who believe in Him shall be saved. :)

Answer 2

Sure -- the unwarranted restriction of one innocent person is not worth the restriction of any number of guilty. Teddy Roosevelt had a quote that measures the same thing in a different way: It is worth a thousand lives to free one prisoner from the enemy.

I agree with both very much.

Answer 3

it is about the US legal system - to convict someone you must believe beyond a reasonable doubt that they are guilty... so even if you are slightly unsure then you are not supposed to convict them or sentence them to jail. so lots of guilty people may be free because of a sliver of doubt, but this will also spare the innocent who could otherwise wrongly be convicted. i think i agree with this.