For more information on Attorney Tim Zerillo and Zerillo Law, LLC, go to www.GetZerillo.com or call 207.347.6063. We all know the saying, “proof beyond a reasonable doubt.” We have heard it in movies, on TV shows, and in popular culture. reasonable suspicion, probable cause, as well as clear and convincing evidence) led the court to one logical conclusion: the defendant is guilty. To win a conviction, the prosecution must convince the jury only that any question as to the truth of the allegations makes no reasonable sense. “ Reasonable Doubt ” Does Not Mean “ Any Doubt ” The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that jurors should receive instruct ion that “ reasonable doubt ” cannot consist of doubt based on sympathy for the accused or any prejudice, for whatever reason, for or against anyone involved in the case. please dont say exactly what it says because i have read it a hundred times i still dont get it. What does reasonable doubt mean? The definition is somewhat circular in that proof beyond a reasonable doubt is defined as an abiding conviction of guilt which does not waver. A reasonable doubt is based on common sense. The Meaning of Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt The standard of proof in a criminal case is known as proof beyond a reasonable doubt , which means that in order for a jury to convict a defendant in a criminal trial, they must believe that the prosecution has presented evidence that is so compelling, that no one other than the defendant is responsible for the crime. The criminal standard is proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Reasonable doubt is defined somewhat differently depending on what jurisdiction you’re in, but essentially, a juror can have some doubt in her mind, but it cannot be one that would affect a reasonable person’s “moral certainty” that a defendant is guilty. The term “reasonable doubt” has a specific meaning in criminal law. What does beyond a reasonable doubt expression mean? See more. This means that the proposition being presented by the government must be proven to the extent that there is no "reasonable doubt" in the mind of a reasonable person that the defendant is guilty. If the doubt raised does affect a "reasonable person's" belief, the jury is not satisfied beyond a "reasonable doubt". Definition of beyond a reasonable doubt in the Idioms Dictionary. Note that ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ does not mean that the prosecution must eliminate all possible uncertainty about a person’s innocence. Attorney Ruth Ann Hepler explains the definition of reasonable doubt.Political advertisement paid for by Ruth Ann Hepler for County Court Judge, Group 12. part of jury instructions in all criminal trials, in which the jurors are told that they can only find the defendant guilty if they are convinced "beyond a reason- able doubt" of his or her guilt. According to the Texas penal code, this is classified as “proof beyond a reasonable doubt.” The Texas transcript continues: Sec. The term beyond a reasonable doubt has been used for a very long time and is a part of our history and traditions of justice. Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. There can still be a doubt, but only to the extent that it would not affect a "reasonable person's" belief that the defendant is guilty. The law says 'reasonable doubt,' but I think a defendant's entitled to the shadow of a doubt." Unreasonable definition, not reasonable or rational; acting at variance with or contrary to reason; not guided by reason or sound judgment; irrational: an unreasonable person. How to use doubt in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of doubt. does it mean if you suspect the defendant to be guilty after normal suspisions you should find him guilty, or does it mean that if you have any kind of doubt that the defendant did it than you should find him guilty? Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. It does not mean zero doubt, as that's an impossible standard. The judge will instruct a jury in all criminal trials that they can only find the defendant guilty if they are convinced "beyond a reasonable doubt" of his or her guilt. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt means proof that is close to an absolute certainty. Reasonable. If asked to provide a percentage, most people equate the standard with a requirement that you be 95-99 percent certain of a defendant’s guilt before voting to convict under a “reasonable doubt… I hope this helped shed light on the concept of Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. It does not mean that no doubt exists as to the accused's guilt, but only that no Reasonable Doubt is possible from the evidence presented. "A reasonable doubt is not an imaginary or frivolous doubt. Sometimes referred to as "to a moral certainty," the phrase is fraught with uncertainty as to meaning, but try: "you better be damned sure." The Supreme Court of Canada has offered a number of guidelines applicable to the concept of reasonable doubt. The notion of reasonable doubt is inextricably intertwined with the presumption of innocence. 1175-1225 Old French douter . It is near impossible in most situations. beyond a reasonable doubt. If the judge or jury is sure you committed the crime based on the evidence, that is enough. Beyond a reasonable doubt is the highest standard of proof that must be met in any trial. (a feeling of) not being certain about something, especially about how good or true it is: 2…. Though “beyond a reasonable doubt” does not require that all doubt be removed, it comes very close. Learn more. In our criminal justice system, every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Doubt definition, to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe: The police have good reason to doubt his alibi. Doubt definition is - to call into question the truth of : to be uncertain or in doubt about. Atticus proves there is reasonable doubt when he shows the court that Tom can't move his left arm. 8 Answers. A feeling of uncertainty about the truth, the reality of a situation or presented facts, or nature of something; To be uncertain about a thing; to be undecided in a belief or opinion; Origin . To make a doubt reasonable, jurors must root it in logic, reason, or common sense. In order for a jury to find someone guilty of a crime, standards must be met. Since nothing in this world is ever entirely certain, proving a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt does not mean proving it beyond all possible doubt. The term, “beyond a reasonable doubt,” is used as a standard of proof necessary for prosecutors to meet for a defendant to be found guilty of a crime. It is so engrained in our criminal law that some think it needs no explanation, yet something must be said regarding its meaning. Since the law views all defendants as innocent until proven guilty, the prosecution must demonstrate through the facts and evidence of the case that he or she was the … 2.01. So what does this term, used in criminal trials, actually mean? The jurisprudence of the applicable jurisdiction usually defines the precise meaning of words such as "reasonable" and "doubt" for such purposes. Answer Save. They have been satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that you're guilty. This does not mean that the government needs to prove its case beyond all possible doubt, but when compared to the burdens articulated above, the government has a heavy burden to carry when asking a jury to find someone guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. To explore this concept, consider the following beyond a reasonable doubt definition. In a criminal case, because the stakes are so high, it is not enough to prove that the defendant is “probably guilty”. 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