The burden of proof in criminal cases is higher than in other legal proceedings, such as civil claims. In civil cases, the burden of proof is based on the balance of probabilities. This means that a case can go in a party’s favor if their version of events is more likely to have happened than not. In criminal proceedings, the burden of proof is beyond reasonable doubt.
As the consequences of criminal convictions can be very severe, the prosecution must present a case that leaves no room for alternative explanations.
The presumption of innocence
The presumption of innocence is enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The jury must start a trial from the point of believing that the defendant is innocent until the prosecution has provided evidence that shows guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
A jury cannot be prejudiced toward the defendant and the court must ensure that they fully understand the principle of the presumption of innocence. For instance, they should not be influenced by media depictions or conversations that occur outside of the courtroom. To do so could jeopardize the defendant’s right to a fair trial.
Instead, jurors must come to a decision based on the facts presented by the prosecution and the strength of evidence, such as witness statements. To convict, jurors must be satisfied that there are no reasonable alternative explanations and that the evidence establishes guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
What if there is reasonable doubt?
It’s important to note that a defendant does not need to prove their innocence, they merely need to insert reasonable doubt into the case. There are various defense strategies that can be employed to make this happen. For example, in a DUI case, if an officer did not administer a breathalyzer test appropriately, this casts a reasonable doubt over its accuracy. Depending on the strength or lack of other evidence, this could be enough to cast a reasonable doubt over the case entirely.
Establishing guilt beyond reasonable doubt ultimately lies with the jury in a criminal trial. By having legal guidance behind you, you may be able to weaken the case of the prosecution.
