| In a criminal trial, the government must prove the | | | | means one thing while another juror may think it |
| elements of the crime the defendant is accused of | | | | means more or less than the first juror. |
| beyond a reasonable doubt. So, what exactly does | | | | The OJ Simpson case presents a great example. The |
| this mean? | | | | defendant lawyers and prosecutors presented piles |
| Everyone has heard of proof beyond a reasonable | | | | of evidence in favour of their sides. They then |
| doubt. We see it brought up in television shows like | | | | presented all types of experts and such to argue |
| Law & Order, CSI and, well, pick your favorite | | | | against the evidence applied by the opposing party. |
| crime drama. We also see it in real life situations like | | | | How was the jury supposed to figure out "beyond a |
| the OJ Simpson murder case. What is rarely | | | | reasonable doubt" given the mass of information? |
| explained, however, is what the phrase actually | | | | Well, the defense didn't really present much of a |
| means and what must be shown. | | | | plausible case, but then the prosecution made a huge |
| The first thing to understand is what beyond | | | | mistake. |
| reasonable doubt does not mean. It does not mean | | | | In law school, they teach you never to ask a witness |
| proving by a 51 percent to 49 percent majority. Much | | | | a question you do not know the answer to. In the |
| more is required, although the evidence provided by | | | | Simpson case, the prosecution just assumed the |
| the prosecution does not have to be absolute. | | | | gloves would fit Simpson. As we all know, they didn't. |
| Instead, the government must provide sufficient | | | | The PROSECUTION presented the jury with a simple |
| evidence that a reasonable person would not | | | | to see and understand piece of critical evidence that |
| reasonably doubt that the defendant did each | | | | raised reasonable doubt. If the glove doesn't fit, you |
| element of the crime. | | | | must acquit. Simple put, the best evidence that the |
| Admittedly, this is still a fairly vague standard. Many | | | | burden of proof had not been met was provided by |
| legal experts argue that this why we sometimes see | | | | the prosecution. A monumental gaff that will be |
| such bizarre findings from juries. They simply are not | | | | talked about in the legal profession for years! |
| comfortable with the standard. One juror may think it | | | | |