Reasonable Doubt defined in Ohio
Ohio Revised Code Section 2901.05(E) contains the Ohio definition of reasonable doubt. The Second District Court of Appeals for Greene County just noted that it looks with disfavor upon the use of examples by counsel or judges to try to explain their subjective understanding of reasonable doubt to a jury. Don't mess around with your creative examples, says the Court of Appeals. The Ohio definition "correctly conveys the concept of reasonable doubt." Here is how reasonable doubt is defined in R.C. 2901.05(E):
"Reasonable doubt" is present when the jurors, after they have carefully considered and compared all the evidence, cannot say they are firmly convinced of the truth of the charge. It is a doubt based on reason and common sense. Reasonable doubt is not mere possible doubt, because everything relating to human affairs or depending on moral evidence is open to some possible or imaginary doubt. "Proof beyond a reasonable doubt" is proof of such character that an ordinary person would be willing to rely and act upon it in the most important of the person's own affairs.
If you are accused of a crime or have been convicted already, contact me if you can afford to hire a private criminal defense lawyer. Otherwise, contact your county or state public defender to see if they can help.
