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Simple English definitions for legal terms

rational doubt

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A quick definition of rational doubt:

Term: Rational Doubt

Definition: Rational doubt, also known as reasonable doubt, is the belief that there is a real possibility that a defendant is not guilty. It is the doubt that prevents one from being firmly convinced of a defendant's guilt. When a jury is deciding whether a criminal defendant is guilty, they must use the standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt." This means that they must begin with the presumption that the defendant is innocent and only find them guilty if they are convinced to a moral certainty of the truth of the charge. Rational doubt is not a mere possible doubt, but a doubt that remains even after the entire comparison and consideration of all the evidence.

A more thorough explanation:

Rational doubt, also known as reasonable doubt, is the belief that there is a real possibility that a defendant is not guilty. It is the doubt that prevents one from being firmly convinced of a defendant's guilt.

In a criminal trial, the standard used by a jury to determine whether a defendant is guilty is "beyond a reasonable doubt." This means that the jury must begin with the presumption that the defendant is innocent and only find them guilty if they are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt.

For example, if a person is accused of stealing a car, the jury must consider all the evidence presented in court and decide whether they are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the person committed the crime. If there is any doubt in their minds, they must find the person not guilty.

Rational doubt is not a mere possible doubt, but a doubt that remains even after the entire comparison and consideration of all the evidence. It is a doubt that leaves the minds of jurors in a state where they cannot say they feel an abiding conviction, to a moral certainty, of the truth of the charge.

Overall, rational doubt is an essential part of the criminal justice system as it ensures that innocent people are not wrongly convicted.

rational-choice theory | rational interpretation

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[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:56
CONGRATS MACAQUE!
TY
got a random stanford email and almost had a heart attack
ALSO CONGRATS!
Congrats1!
21:15
Miami A, yall I'm so excited I could cry.
21:15
Feel like I can finally stop holding my breath!! Whew!!!
[] baddestbunny
22:16
every time I get accosted by a strange man who follows me around because my male coworkers were too busy talking to walk me back to my car I get closer to saying we need to bring back traditional gender roles
Dkk
22:32
Nice! @Macaque
Dkk
22:32
@Aromatic, Have to guess.
Dkk
22:33
That sucks @Bunny do you have to go to the hospital?
[] baddestbunny
22:40
I said accosted not assaulted
23:35
guys. my notre dame address just went long is this good or bad
1a2b3c4d26z
23:37
Oooooo me too
23:37
omg is this good or bad
Dkk
23:47
Idk if gender roles are gunna fix that then.
23:49
it looks like most people who applied in october last cycle didn't get a decision until january... does it even mean anything that our addresses went long??
hows ED 2 compared to ED 1?
Dkk
0:10
No idea
windyMagician
0:34
reporting live to say my ndls address also went long
does it mean anything ^
Dkk
2:21
NDLS and Fordham took a very long time last year. It's good info for people to know.
[] baddestbunny
4:29
let’s get after it boys and girls
Dkk
5:21
I gtg to bed soon.
Dkk
5:22
Big day today. Gunna be a crazy one. I will sleep through the first half.
good morning lsd it is 5 am EST
also jazzy my ndls address went long ages ago i sadly do not think it means anything
my stanford address also went long LOL i think at most it's an indicator it's under review
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
7:44
My berkeley paragraph finally disappeared. I definitely think it is just an indicator that they are actively reviewing files, and does not mean anything about A, WL, or Rs
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
7:46
Also has anyone's date disappeared for W&L? Mine did last night
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