New Ingestion is live for the UK, the EU, US federal law and ~7M US decisions. Search the corpus ›

Editorial

Beyond reasonable doubt

Definition

The standard of proof in criminal proceedings. The tribunal must be sure of guilt; it is not enough that guilt is probable.

In plain English: In a criminal case the jury has to be sure — not just think it likely.

A common law definition. The term may mean something different, or nothing at all, in another legal system.

Legal family: common law

Related terms