[CT] Chapter 6: Reasonable Doubt Flashcards
True or False?
The prosecutor has to make sure EVERY single doubt of the jury as to the defendant, is eliminated.
False!
The prosecutor does not have to make sure every single doubt of the jury as to the defendant, is gone. They do have to go beyond proving that it is more likely than not, that the defendant did the crime.
True or False?
At the beginning of the trail, a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
True!
As the prosecutor presents evidence, the probability of guilt gradually increases in the mind of the jurors.
Countervailing evidence
It is evidence that contradicts that presented by the prosecutor.
In the end, it does not matter whether the prosecutor, defense attorney or judge believes that guilt has been established beyond a reasonable doubt, only what the _____ believes matters.
JURY!!!
The jury is in charged with deciding if guilt has been established beyond a reasonable doubt.
Opening statement
It is the attorneys stating only what each side intends to prove using the evidence.
Deliberate
The jury thinks about and discusses the evidence.
If the jury believes that the legal standard has been met then, it should return a verdict of…?
Guilty!!!
If the jury believes that it has not been met, it should return a verdict of not guilty.
How much probability of guilt does the jury start off with, at the trail?
0%
Both sides present evidence to the jury, and the probability of guilt starts off at 0 then increases as the prosecutor presents more evidence.
How much probability of guilt has to be beyond that of a reasonable doubt?
85%–100%
Who is the one to increases reasonable doubt to the jury?
The defendant
The prosecutor _____ reasonable doubt to the jury.
Decreases reasonable doubt.
