Reasonable Doubt

Reasonable doubt is a legal standard used in criminal trials to determine a defendant's guilt. It means that if jurors have any significant uncertainty about the evidence or whether the defendant committed the crime, they must acquit, or not find the defendant guilty. This standard protects individuals from wrongful convictions, emphasizing that the prosecution must provide convincing evidence beyond a doubt that a reasonable person might hold. Essentially, it's about ensuring fairness in the legal process—if there’s a reasonable doubt about guilt, the accused should not be punished.