REASONABLE DOUBT Meaning and
Definition
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Reasonable doubt is a legal term that refers to the standard of proof required in criminal cases in common law jurisdictions. It is a concept used by judges and jurors to determine whether the prosecution has proven the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, creating a presumption of innocence.
The term itself can be defined as a doubt that arises from a fair and rational consideration of all the evidence or lack thereof presented in a case, which would cause a reasonable person to hesitate before concluding that the accused is guilty. It does not require proof to an absolute certainty, but rather, it demands that the evidence be sufficiently convincing to exclude any reasonable alternative explanation of innocence.
Reasonable doubt is a higher standard than mere suspicion or speculation; it requires the jurors to be firmly convinced of the defendant's guilt based on the prosecution's evidence. In practice, it means that if there is any reasonable possibility that the defendant didn't commit the crime or that the evidence presented is unreliable, the doubt must be resolved in favor of the defendant, leading to an acquittal.
The burden of proof lies with the prosecution, and if they fail to meet the threshold of reasonable doubt, the defendant is entitled to be found not guilty. It is a fundamental principle of due process, designed to protect individuals from wrongful conviction by ensuring that the government's case is proven convincingly and beyond a reasonable doubt.
Common Misspellings for REASONABLE DOUBT
- eeasonable doubt
- deasonable doubt
- feasonable doubt
- teasonable doubt
- 5easonable doubt
- 4easonable doubt
- rwasonable doubt
- rsasonable doubt
- rdasonable doubt
- rrasonable doubt
- r4asonable doubt
- r3asonable doubt
- rezsonable doubt
- ressonable doubt
- rewsonable doubt
- reqsonable doubt
- reaaonable doubt
- reazonable doubt
- reaxonable doubt
- readonable doubt
Etymology of REASONABLE DOUBT
The term "reasonable doubt" originates from the field of law and has its roots in the Latin language. It can be traced back to the Latin phrase "propter dubium rationabilem" which means "because of reasonable doubt". Over time, this phrase evolved into the English term "reasonable doubt" as the legal system developed and adapted to English-speaking countries. The concept of "reasonable doubt" plays a crucial role in criminal trials, referring to the standard of proof that the prosecution must meet in order to obtain a conviction. It denotes a doubt based on reason and common sense, as opposed to a mere possibility or speculation.
Idioms with the word REASONABLE DOUBT
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beyond a reasonable doubt
"Beyond a reasonable doubt" is a legal standard used to determine the guilt of a criminal defendant in a trial. It means that the evidence presented must be so convincing that there is no other logical explanation than the guilt of the defendant.
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