“Do you know, or do you not know, that the law of England supposes every man to be innocent, until he is proved—proved—to be guilty?” (Page 148)
This passage deliberately describes the legal action of habeas corpus. Habeas corpus is a mandate that requires a prosecuted person to be brought before a judicial court for investigation. In Great Britain, this right has been around for centuries with origins back to the 1300s, but it wasn't until 1679 that the Habeas Corpus Act was passed by Parliament. Dickens mentions habeas corpus in order to give some insight into the character of Jaggers. Although the reader is not completely familiar with this character, he or she soon discovers that Jaggers is in fact a lawyer. As a result, the reader can conclude that Jaggers is a very knowledgeable man and that he holds authority.
"Habeas Corpus Act 1679." Cam Riley :: South Sea Republic. Web. 03 Jan. 2010. http://www.southsearepublic.org/article/916/read/habeas_corpus_act_1679.
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but don't we really know that about Jaggers from his first lines? right out of the gate, don't we see Jaggers' personality coming through -- are these assumptions being made or conclusions?
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