Monder Law Group - News
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
There are different standards of proof depending on the type of trial. The standards have different definitions and different levels of difficulty.
For example, in criminal trials, the prosecution has the burden of proving the defendant committed the crime “beyond a reasonable doubt”. This is the highest burden of proof to meet out of all the possible standards.
“Beyond a reasonable doubt” requires that the prosecution must prove its case to the extent that there could be no “reasonable doubt” in the mind of a “reasonable person” that the defendant is guilty. There can still be a doubt, but only to the extent that it would not affect a reasonable person’s belief regarding whether or not the defendant is guilty.
However, if doubt does affect a “reasonable person’s” belief that the defendant is guilty, the jury is not satisfied beyond “reasonable doubt.”
Another standard of proof is the “preponderance of the evidence” standard. This is the standard that that a plaintiff must meet in civil trials. This standard is met if the proposition is more likely to be true than not true. The standard is satisfied if there is a greater than a 50% chance that the proposition is true. This standard has the lowest burden to meet which means that it is easier to meet than the beyond a reasonable doubt standard.
If you are ever involved in a trial, civil or criminal, it is a good idea to know which of these standards are relevant to the case.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, CONTACT SAN DIEGO CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY VIK MONDER AT 619.405.0063 OR VIST BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT CRIMINAL ATTORNEY
