Beyond a reasonable doubt

Question 1

Three reasons why we use Beyond Reasonable Doubt

Answer 1

1. Law: SCOTUS held that BRD is law under 5th and 14th amdts in In Re Winship (1970)
2. Civil liberties: Respecting the rights of the accused
3. Societal legitimacy: given the serious and moral nature of a criminal conviction, it is important the community believes in the rightness of the decision

Question 2

Reasonable Doubt Definition

Answer 2

Doubt based on a reason based upon the evidence or lack of evidence.

After considering the evidence, a doubt that prevents a juror from feeling an abiding conviction of the truth of the charge.

Question 3

What is the Beyond Reasonable Doubt standard for a directed verdict and on appeal?

Answer 3

Sufficient evidence such that a rational jury could decide that the prosecution has proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Question 4

Curley v US (1947)

Answer 4

Facts: President of group convicted of conspiracy to defraud government. D argues he did not know about conspiracy, so did not meet knowledge mens rea.

Rule: A trial judge must let a jury consider a case if there is evidence which would prevent a jury from finding the defendant innocent beyond a reasonable doubt.

**Holding: ** Misrepresentations were total, not incidental - D was president and very involved in group, giving ground for a jury to make a legitimate inference D had knowledge.

Question 5

List our one Beyond Reasonable Doubt Case

Answer 5

Curley v US (1947)