Remember: You might be wrong

By: Doug James

Outlets: Daily Montanan

Published: September 22, 2026

Words: 726

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

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Remember: You might be wrong.

That was an admonition that Federal Judge Russell Smith bestowed on those who entered his chambers. He was a scholar and an exemplary judge. The federal courthouse in Missoula is named after him. Remember: You might be wrong.

Words to be remembered by every prosecutor, officer and juror. Sometimes we are wrong. And, the consequences are intolerable. Innocent people jailed.

The presumption of innocence means that …

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