• “Beyond a reasonable doubt” is the standard used by a jury to determine whether a criminal defendant is guilty. See Model Penal Code § 1.12. In deciding whether guilt has been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury must begin with the presumption that the defendant is innocent.
— Also termed rational doubt. See BURDEN OF PERSUASION. Cf. clear and convincing evidence under EVIDENCE; PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE. [Cases: Constitutional Law 266(7); Criminal Law 561. C.J.S. Constitutional Law §§ 1028–1029, 1037; Criminal Law § 1108.]