What is the standard of proof in a criminal trial?

The standard of proof in a criminal trial in Washington is beyond a reasonable doubt. This means that, in order for a jury to convict a defendant of a drug crime, they must be convinced, without a reasonable doubt, that the accused committed the crime. This is a much higher burden of proof than either a “preponderance of the evidence” (i.e. tipping the scales of justice) or “clear and convincing evidence” required to win civil cases. This means that the prosecution must provide substantial evidence to prove each element of the crime, and the jury must be totally convinced of the defendant’s guilt before delivering a guilty verdict. It is important to note, however, that the jury does not need to be absolutely certain of guilt in order to convict. This means that, even if there is a reasonable doubt, the jury may still convict the accused if they feel that the evidence points to his or her guilt.

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What is the standard of proof in a criminal trial?

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