What is the burden of proof required for a conviction in a court-martial?

The burden of proof required for a conviction in a court-martial in Washington is proof beyond a reasonable doubt. This means that the prosecutors must prove, without a doubt, that a crime was committed and that the accused is responsible for that crime. This is the highest burden of proof, higher even than the standard of “preponderance of evidence” used in civil cases. The court-martial also has high standards when it comes to assessing evidence, as most evidence must be “competent, relevant and reliable” in order to be considered credible. This means that any evidence brought before the court must have been legally obtained, must relate to the crime being charged, and must be of good quality. The court-martial must also be satisfied that all evidence is trustworthy and that the accused is guilty beyond any doubt. This strict burden of proof is meant to ensure that justice is carried out fairly and that the accused person has a fair chance of being acquitted without being subjected to wrongful prosecution.

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