

Of course in practice, determining this might be a little more difficult. Very simply, which side has more evidence supporting their case? Answer that question and rule accordingly. This is the lowest standard of proof and it’s the easiest to understand.

There are 2 primary alternatives- preponderance of evidence and clear and convincing proof. One way to start is by comparing beyond a reasonable doubt to other standards of evidence that exist. So it’s important to understand as precisely as we can, the question of what beyond a reasonable doubt actually means in practice. In high-profile cases that the public has information about, the standard can create arguments and misunderstandings. But it’s also a standard that can often be unclear. It’s the standard of proof that every juror has to weigh in a criminal trial.
