What is required for a person to be convicted of a crime in Arizona?

In Arizona, and across the United States, the legal standard for convicting a person of a crime is that the prosecution must prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This standard is fundamental to the American criminal justice system, ensuring that a high level of certainty is required to protect individuals from wrongful convictions. The concept of "beyond a reasonable doubt" means that the evidence presented must be so convincing that no reasonable person could question the defendant's guilt.

This requirement serves to uphold the presumption of innocence, which is a cornerstone of criminal law. A defendant is not considered guilty until the legal process has established their guilt to this high standard. If this burden of proof is not met, the jury must acquit the defendant.

The other options reflect various aspects of legal processes but do not accurately capture the requirement for conviction. For example, while jurors may need to come to a consensus for a verdict, the number of jurors required is typically more complex than a simple majority; in Arizona, a unanimous verdict is generally required in felony cases. A confession, while potentially powerful evidence, is not a necessity for a conviction, as a case can be built on circumstantial and direct evidence. Similarly, a judge's determination alone does not