What Does “Beyond A Reasonable Doubt” Mean?
The phrase “beyond a reasonable doubt” reflects the highest standard when it comes to burden of proof in a legal trial. When a case must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt it means that if a reasonable person were presented with the evidence, he or she would draw the inescapable conclusion, without any doubt, that the accused was guilty of the crime. If there are doubts or alternative explanations for the evidence, this standard of proof is not met, and a conviction could not be returned.
