Unfortunately, guilt or innocence matters in the US because we as a society continue to punish criminals long after their sentence is completed in the form of removing their rights to vote or own firearms, denying them employment, and (in some cases) mandating they maintain a large distance from children.

While we could argue about the merits of doing so for someone who actually committed the crimes for which they were convicted, it seems obvious they should not apply to someone who is innocent of that which they are accused.