What is the test for reasonable doubt in a criminal case?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Monroy, G052279 (Cal. App. 2017):

Jurors are presumed to be intelligent and capable of understanding instructions and applying them to the facts of the case. (People v. Lewis (2001) 26 Cal.4th 334, 390.) Here the jury was given CALCRIM No. 220 on reasonable doubt orally and in writing. The instruction reads, "The fact that a criminal charge has been filed against the defendant is not evidence that the charge is true. You must not be biased against the defendant just because he has been arrested, charged with a crime, or brought to trial. [] A defendant in a criminal case is presumed to be innocent. This presumption requires that the People prove a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Whenever I tell you the People must prove something, I mean they must prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. [] Proof beyond a reasonable doubt is proof that leaves you with an abiding conviction that the charge is true. The evidence need not eliminate all possible doubt because everything in life is open to some possible or imaginary doubt. [] In deciding whether the People have proved their case beyond a reasonable doubt, you must impartially compare and consider all the evidence that was received throughout the entire trial. Unless the evidence proves the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, he is entitled to an acquittal and you must find him not guilty."

Other Questions


What is the test for misconduct in a criminal case where a prosecutor argued that reasonable doubt was not a reasonable doubt? (California, United States of America)
Does the absence of lingering doubt from a recitation of evidence the defense offered in an attempt to raise reasonable doubt raise a reasonable doubt? (California, United States of America)
Is there any reasonable doubt that there would have been no reasonable doubt in a jury finding a defendant guilty absent the error? (California, United States of America)
What is the standard of reasonable doubt in criminal cases? (California, United States of America)
Is the reasonable doubt instruction insufficient to support the definition of reasonable doubt in CALCRIM No. 220? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for a claim of misconduct in a criminal case brought by a defendant that the prosecution made comments that reduced the burden of proving reasonable doubt with common sense? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for reasonable doubt in a criminal case? (California, United States of America)
Does the absence of an instruction defining reasonable doubt result in a jury failing to apply the same reasonable doubt test? (California, United States of America)
Can third party evidence raise a reasonable doubt in a criminal case? (California, United States of America)
What is the substantial evidence required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt in a criminal 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.