What is the legal test for assessing the sufficiency of evidence in a sexual assault case?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Mares, B232948 (Cal. App. 2012):

In reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, we "consider the evidence in a light most favorable to the judgment and presume the existence of every fact the trier could reasonably deduce from the evidence in support of the judgment. The test is whether substantial evidence supports the decision, not whether the evidence proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. [Citations.]" (People v. Mincey (1992) 2 Cal.4th 408, 432.) Our sole function is to determine if any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime present beyond a reasonable doubt. (People v. Bolin (1998) 18 Cal.4th 297, 331.) "Reversal on [sufficiency of the evidence] ground[s] is unwarranted unless it appears 'that upon no hypothesis whatever is there sufficient substantial evidence to support [the conviction].'" (Ibid.)

Substantial evidence in this context means "evidence that is reasonable, credible, and of solid value such that a reasonable trier of fact could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt." (People v. Bolin, supra, 18 Cal.4th at p. 331.) "In assessing the sufficiency of the evidence, we review the entire record in the light most favorable to

Page 12

the judgment to determine whether it discloses evidence that is reasonable, credible, and of solid value such that a reasonable trier of fact could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. [Citations.]" (Ibid.) We resolve "all conflicts in [the] evidence and questions of credibility in favor of the verdict, and indulge every reasonable inference the jury could draw from the evidence." (People v. Autry (1995) 37 Cal.App.4th 351, 358.) "'[T]he appellate court presumes in support of the judgment the existence of every fact the trier could reasonably deduce from the evidence.' [Citation.] This standard applies whether direct or circumstantial evidence is involved." (People v. Catlin (2001) 26 Cal.4th 81, 139.)

Other Questions


When testifying in a sexual assault case, does the use of the word "sex" by the victims constitute sufficient evidence for the purposes of sexual arousal or sexual gratification? (California, United States of America)
In determining the sufficiency of evidence in a civil case, how have courts considered the evidence in the context of sexual assault cases? (California, United States of America)
What is the legal test for sufficiency of evidence in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
What is the legal test for a sufficiency of evidence argument in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
How does the Court assess the sufficiency of evidence in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
What is the legal test for sufficiency of evidence in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for admitting prior sexual assault evidence in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
For the purposes of section 1108.2(1) of the California Criminal Code, is there any constitutional error in a trial court's decision to instruct the jury in a sexual assault case to consider the use of sexual assault evidence admitted under Section 1108? (California, United States of America)
What is the legal test used to determine the sufficiency of evidence in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
Is there any reason to exclude evidence of sexual assault prior to the trial of defendant in his sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.