The principle of innocence until proven guilty, the standard of reasonable doubt, and the inefficient trial by jury of one's peers is the best we have figured out so far. If there is a better way, I think everyone would love to hear it. But before you propose it, please consider whether it would really provide justice if you were the defendant with the mile-long rap sheet, but who didn't do it this time.
Clearly it's not the best we have figured out, or even a very good method. Look at how much more peaceful and orderly places like Japan and Singapore are, where you have effective, efficient justice.
Again, asking me to think about what if I was the defendant is an invitation to be antisocial. Of course, in that moment, I would say "fuck society!" But that's not a good way for society to make decisions for the good of the whole.
