“Beyond a reasonable doubt” means the admissible evidence shows the defendant committed the alleged offense. That is not to say that all doubt is eliminated, but no other reasonable explanation exists. In a criminal case, this is the highest standard of proof.
Essentially, the prosecutor asserts that the defendant violated the law. However, merely asserting that claim does not justify penalization for the alleged violation. Instead, prosecutors must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
In this Article
A New Mexico criminal defense attorney in Las Vegas explains how prosecutors prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, how the prosecutor’s burden of proof affects your case, and other legal standards that apply to a criminal court verdict.
How Do Prosecutors Prove Their Case Beyond a Reasonable Doubt?
The prosecutor must present sufficient evidence to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If they cannot, the defendant should be found not guilty. On the other hand, meeting the burden of proof is likely going to sway a judge or jury toward conviction.
To better understand how prosecutors prove their cases beyond a reasonable doubt, consider three standards of proof in the American legal system:
- Standard 1. By a preponderance of the evidence: By a preponderance of the evidence is the lowest standard of proof. It is slightly more than a 50 percent belief in a fact or evidence being true.
- Standard 2. Clear and convincing evidence: Clear and convincing evidence satisfies an intermediate burden of proof compared to a 75% probability that something occurred.
- Standard 3. Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: The highest evidence standard is beyond a reasonable doubt. It is used in criminal cases because the stakes are high, and a jury must be convinced that the defendant committed the offense charged.
You can see why and how “beyond a reasonable doubt” is the highest legal standard. To meet this standard in criminal proceedings, prosecutors must collect evidence properly, preserve it, and submit it according to the court’s rules.
Examples of discoverable, admissible evidence that prosecutors may submit could include the following:
- Surveillance tapes
- Expert testimony
- Eyewitness testimony
- Victim testimony
- DNA evidence
- Fingerprint evidence
- Other forms of discoverable evidence
The judge will ask the jury to evaluate the evidence and determine whether the prosecution established that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Otherwise, the jury should not vote for a conviction.
Who Holds the Burden of Proof in a Criminal Case?
The prosecutor bears the burden of proof in a criminal case. In other words, prosecutors must persuade the judge and jury that a criminal offense occurred beyond a reasonable doubt, as described above. While the defense may present their side of the story, they are not necessarily proving their innocence (although, in some cases, they may). Instead, a criminal defense attorney attempts to undermine the prosecution’s case.
Undermining the Burden of Proof
The attorney demonstrates typically offers another reasonable explanation by casting doubt on the prosecutor’s evidence. A lawyer can cast doubt in various ways, including:
- Challenge arrest and investigation procedures
- Contest witness credibility
- Highlight inconsistencies in testimony
- Provide exonerating evidence
- Other viable defenses
If facing criminal charges, it is critical that you hire a criminal defense lawyer to undermine the prosecutor’s burden of proof. Otherwise, you could go to jail and pay fines for a crime you did not commit.
Related Article: What Is an Alibi Defense?
What Does the US Constitution Say About Beyond a Reasonable Doubt?
The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the US Constitution guarantee that a defendant must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Under the Fifth Amendment, an individual charged with a crime is protected from conviction “unless and until every fact necessary to constitute the crime charged is established beyond a reasonable doubt.”
While a judge is required to instruct a jury on how to apply the standard of proof, there is no requirement that the jury be provided with a quantifiable definition of what constitutes reasonable doubt.
Related Article: How to Hire a Top-Rated NM Criminal Defense Lawyer
What Is the Difference Between Reasonable Doubt, Reasonable Suspicion, and Probable Cause?
Reasonable doubt is different from reasonable suspicion or probable cause since it is a standard the prosecutor must meet. Reasonable suspicion and probable cause primarily relate to law enforcement officials’ standards during an arrest or criminal investigation.
Here is a brief explanation of reasonable suspicion and probable cause:
- Reasonable suspicion: The standard used to determine whether a police officer should stop and detain someone
- Probable cause: The standard that law enforcement officials must meet before arresting someone, conducting a search, or obtaining a warrant
Probable cause is more stringent than reasonable suspicion but less so than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard. If there was no reasonable suspicion or probable cause, the case’s outcome could be profoundly affected. In either absence, evidence may be declared inadmissible, or an entire case may be dismissed.
Related Article: How to Respond If You Are Falsely Accused of a Crime
Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help?
A criminal defense lawyer will absolutely help your case. While there are no guarantees that you will walk away scot-free, they will protect your legal rights throughout the process, obtain evidence that speaks to the facts, and represent you at all hearings. Hiring a criminal defense lawyer is a worthy investment, especially when your life and future are on the line.
Call Us Now for a Free Case Strategy Session
The Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer at Grano Law Offices, P.C. will fight the prosecutor’s case with tenacity. If you face criminal charges in New Mexico, contact us for a Free Case Strategy Session at (505) 426-8711 or via the contact form below.
