Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is the standard of evidence required to validate a criminal conviction in courts. It means that there is no other logical explanation derived from the facts except that the defendant committed the crime.
Related terms
Preponderance of Evidence: This is the standard of proof used in civil cases, requiring that a case be more likely true than not.
Reasonable Doubt: A standard of proof in criminal law that must be surpassed to convict an accused, emphasizing that there should be no plausible reason to believe otherwise.
Acquittal: The legal judgment that someone is not guilty of the crime with which they have been charged, often due to failure to meet the 'beyond a reasonable doubt' standard