What is the test for a jury to convict a defendant beyond a reasonable doubt?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from The People v. Tupper, A125301, Mendocino County Super. Ct. No. SCTMCRCR0775971 (Cal. App. 2010):

credible, and of solid valuefrom which a reasonable trier of fact could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.' [Citation.] '[T]he relevant question is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.' [Citations.] '[I]t is the jury, not the appellate court which must be convinced of the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.' [Citation.] 'In a case, such as the present one, based upon circumstantial evidence, we must decide whether the circumstances reasonably justify the findings of the trier of fact, but our opinion that the circumstances also might reasonably be reconciled with a contrary finding would not warrant reversal of the judgment.' " (People v. Lewis (2009) 46 Cal.4th 1255, 12891290, fn. omitted.)

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