What is the legal standard of proof required in a criminal case?

The legal standard of proof required in a criminal case is "beyond a reasonable doubt." This standard is the highest level of proof in the judicial system, reflecting the serious nature of criminal charges and the potential consequences for defendants, including loss of liberty.

In a criminal trial, the prosecution carries the burden of proving the defendant's guilt to this very high standard, meaning that the evidence presented must be so convincing that there is no reasonable doubt of the defendant's guilt in the mind of a rational jury. This standard is designed to ensure that innocent individuals are not wrongfully convicted and underscores the principle that it is better for a guilty person to go free than for an innocent person to be found guilty.

Other options represent lower standards of proof, with "clear and convincing evidence" being typically used in civil cases involving certain types of claims and "preponderance of the evidence" being the standard used in most civil cases where the evidence simply needs to show that something is more likely true than not. "Probable cause" is the standard used primarily in the context of searches and seizures as well as arrest warrants, which is lower than that required for a conviction in a criminal trial.