What is the legal test for overturning a finding of insufficient evidence in a special circumstance case?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Mireles, F077349 (Cal. App. 2020):

to determine the credibility of a witness and the truth or falsity of the facts upon which a determination depends. [Citation.] We resolve neither credibility issues nor evidentiary conflicts; we look for substantial evidence. [Citation.]' [Citation.] A reversal for insufficient evidence 'is unwarranted unless it appears "that upon no hypothesis whatever is there sufficient substantial evidence to support" ' the jury's verdict. [Citation.]" (People v. Zamudio (2008) 43 Cal.4th 327, 357.)

"The same standard applies when the conviction rests primarily on circumstantial evidence. [Citation.] Although it is the jury's duty to acquit a defendant if it finds the circumstantial evidence susceptible of two reasonable interpretations, one of which suggests guilt and the other innocence, it is the jury, not the appellate court that must be convinced of the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. [Citation.]" (People v. Kraft, supra, 43 Cal.4th at pp. 1053-1054.) We "must accept logical inferences that the jury might have drawn from the circumstantial evidence. [Citation.]" (People v. Maury (2003) 30 Cal.4th 342, 396.) "Where the circumstances reasonably justify the trier of fact's findings, a reviewing court's conclusion the circumstances might also reasonably be reconciled with a contrary finding does not warrant the judgment's reversal. [Citation.]" (People v. Zamudio, supra, 43 Cal.4th at p. 358.)

The same substantial evidence standards apply to true findings on a special circumstance allegation. (People v. Houston (2012) 54 Cal.4th 1186, 1215.)13

Other Questions


What is the legal test for overturning a finding of insufficient evidence in a special circumstance case? (California, United States of America)
What is the legal test for overturning a finding of insufficient evidence in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
What is the legal test for overturning a finding of insufficient evidence in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
What is the legal test for a finding of insufficient evidence in a drug case where the prosecution relied primarily on circumstantial evidence? (California, United States of America)
What is the legal test for overturning a finding of insufficient evidence in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
What is the legal test for overturning a finding of insufficient evidence in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
What is the legal test for overturning a finding of insufficient evidence in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
What is the legal test for overturning a finding of insufficient evidence in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
Does the evidence support the finding that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that the sexual assault charges against Backman were not supported by the weight of the evidence? (California, United States of America)
What is the legal test for overturning a finding of insufficient sufficiency of evidence in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.