What is the standard of proof required in criminal cases?

In criminal cases, the standard of proof required is "beyond reasonable doubt." This means that for a defendant to be convicted of a crime, the prosecution must present evidence that leaves the jury or judge with a high degree of certainty about the defendant’s guilt. This standard is purposely stringent to protect individuals from wrongful convictions, ensuring that a person is not declared guilty unless there is overwhelming evidence supporting that conclusion. The rationale behind this is to uphold the presumption of innocence, meaning that a defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty.

The other standards mentioned relate to different contexts; for instance, "clear and convincing evidence" is higher than the balance of probabilities but lower than beyond reasonable doubt, often used in civil cases. The "balance of probabilities" is the standard used in civil cases, where it is sufficient for a party to show that something is more likely true than not. "Established facts only" does not represent a legal standard of proof but may imply that only accepted facts are considered, which does not align with the evidentiary requirements in court proceedings.