I mean that they have proven it to themselves, I don't mean it in a legal sense.
> I mean that they have proven it to themselves, I don't mean it in a legal sense.
A fair point. And it's likely you're correct.
Although using the term 'prove' has specific legal meaning that many (myself included) folks would associate with the use of that term.
As I said, there's what you believe and what you can prove. Believing you can prove something may be well founded, but at least in the US nothing is actually "proven" until it has been adjudicated -- and even then contrary decisions (e.g., in an appeal) can "un-prove" stuff.
The whole quote from me was, "...they believe they've proven".
Perhaps a better phrasing would be "believe they can prove".
It's a bit of a nitpick, but the Justice Department (DoJ) hasn't proven anything.
The defendants in question have been charged (and arrested?), but no trial (or plea bargain) has been held. As such, presumably the DoJ has what they believe is sufficient evidence to convict the defendants on the charges brought against them.
However, until a trial (or a plea agreement) is concluded, the DoJ hasn't "proven" anything. Rather, they brought charges against some folks. That's not "proven beyond a reasonable doubt," that's making accusations and bringing the case into the court system.
What the DoJ believes (and/or believes it can prove) is not proof in and of itself.