What standard of proof is required to find someone guilty in a criminal case?

In a criminal case, the standard of proof required to establish someone's guilt is "proof beyond a reasonable doubt." This standard is the highest level of proof used in the legal system and requires that the evidence presented leaves no reasonable doubt in the mind of a juror that the defendant committed the crime. It is designed to protect individuals from being wrongly convicted, reflecting the principle that it is better for a guilty person to go free than for an innocent person to be wrongly punished.

This standard emphasizes the burden on the prosecution to present a compelling case that not only proves the defendant's guilt but also eliminates any reasonable alternative explanations. Jurors must feel confident in their verdict, understanding that a reasonable doubt is more than a mere possibility of the defendant's innocence; it must be a substantial doubt based on the evidence or lack thereof. Further, this standard contrasts sharply with the lower thresholds required in civil cases, such as "preponderance of guilt" and "clear and convincing evidence," which do not provide the same level of protection against wrongful conviction.