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Legal Burdens Of Proof Under U.S. Law, Tsion Chudnovsky
Legal Burdens Of Proof Under U.S. Law, Tsion Chudnovsky
Tsion Chudnovsky, JD
US laws defines that the legal burden of proof standard becomes more strict as potential consequences become higher. So for criminal matters, since they include the possible loss of freedom, the strictest standard applies: Beyond a reasonable doubt.
Defense has to merely illuminate a reasonable doubt about any of the required elements that have to be proven to prevail in a court trial. Criminal jury instructions require jurors unanimously find that the defendant is guilty with moral certainty. There can be no doubt amongst any jurors that the defendant is guilty.
This strict burden benefits the defendant. You can …