Albert Barnes Commentary John 7:51

"Doth our law judge a man, except it first hear from himself and know what he doeth?" — John 7:51 (ASV)

Does our law, .... The law required justice to be done, and gave every man the right to claim a fair and impartial trial (Leviticus 19:15,16; Exodus 23:1,2; Deuteronomy 19:15,18).

Their condemnation of Jesus was a violation of every rule of right. He was not arraigned; he was not heard in self-defense, and not a single witness was adduced. Nicodemus demanded that justice should be done, and that he should not be condemned until he had had a fair trial. Every man should be presumed innocent until he is proved to be guilty. This is a maxim of law, and a most just and proper precept in our judgments in private life.