<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs attention from an expert in law . Please add a reason or a talk parameter to this template to explain the issue with the article . WikiProject Law may be able to help recruit an expert . (February 2009) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs attention from an expert in law . Please add a reason or a talk parameter to this template to explain the issue with the article . WikiProject Law may be able to help recruit an expert . (February 2009) </Td> </Tr> <P> Reasonable doubt is a term used in jurisdiction of Anglo - Saxon countries . Evidence that is beyond reasonable doubt is the standard of evidence required to validate a criminal conviction in most adversarial legal systems . </P> <P> Generally, prosecutors bear the burden of proof and are required to prove their version of events to this standard . This means that the proposition being presented by the prosecution must be proven to the extent that there could be no "reasonable doubt" in the mind of a "reasonable person" that the defendant is guilty . There can still be a doubt, but only to the extent that it would not affect a reasonable person's belief regarding whether or not the defendant is guilty . Beyond "the shadow of a doubt" is sometimes used interchangeably with beyond reasonable doubt, but this extends beyond the latter, to the extent that it may be considered an impossible standard . The term "reasonable doubt" is therefore used . </P>

Who decides the guilt of a defendant in a criminal trial