What is the burden of proof in criminal cases?

The burden of proof in criminal cases is "beyond a reasonable doubt," which is the standard that must be met by the prosecution in order to secure a conviction. This means that the evidence presented by the prosecution must be so convincing that there is no reasonable doubt remaining in the minds of the jurors regarding the defendant's guilt. This high standard is designed to protect the rights of individuals against wrongful convictions, reflecting the principle that it is better for a guilty person to go free than for an innocent person to be wrongly convicted.

In contrast, other standards such as "preponderance of the evidence" apply to civil cases, where the evidence simply must show that something is more likely true than not. "Clear and convincing evidence" is a higher standard than preponderance but lower than beyond a reasonable doubt, often used in civil cases involving significant interests, such as the termination of parental rights. "Reasonable suspicion" is an even lower standard used by law enforcement to justify stops and detentions, not applicable to determining guilt in criminal prosecutions. The requirement "beyond a reasonable doubt" thus establishes a critical safeguard within the judicial system, ensuring only those who have been proven guilty to this standard are convicted.