[Retric]

So we should treat ... researcher... as guilty, incorrect or foolish until proven innocent, correct or wise?

Yes, that's the point of peer review.

[maxharris]

Peer review is just another thing that helps individuals decide scientific matters for themselves.

The implicit idea behind peer review can be summed up like this: "This is what I think about this work. (I have credentials X, Y, and Z, and I've published this stuff you many have heard of.) What I have to say is just another thing for you to consider. Take it or leave it."

[Retric]

It's more than that as it's vary possible for things to fail peer review and or be edited and resubmitted. But, also in some ways less as you as a reader don't know who did the peer review.