After being charged with conspiracy and perjury for allegedly lying under oath during a drug possession trial in 2008, three LAPD officers have agreed to appear later this week for arraignment.

It happens rarely, but is always painful when a police officer is charged in a criminal case. While we do not disregard the seriousness of these allegations, it is important to remind ourselves and the public that being considered innocent until proven otherwise is a legal right that is a basic tenet of our democracy and should be afforded every citizen.

The officers in this case deserve the benefit of the doubt while they go through the legal process. No one should jump to conclusions before all of the evidence is heard and a judicial determination can be made.