What is Rule 14 of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure?
What is Rule 14 of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure?
No statement, confession, or admission, or other evidence of or obtained from the defendant during the course of the examination, except evidence derived solely from physical examinations or tests, may be revealed to the prosecution or anyone acting on its behalf unless so ordered by the judge.
What is beyond a reasonable doubt mean?
In a criminal case, the prosecution bears the burden of proving that the defendant is guilty beyond all reasonable doubt. This means that the prosecution must convince the jury that there is no other reasonable explanation that can come from the evidence presented at trial.
How many peremptory challenges are allowed in Massachusetts?
Upon the trial of an indictment for a crime punishable by imprisonment for life, each defendant shall be entitled to twelve peremptory challenges of the jurors called to try the case; in any other criminal case tried before a jury of twelve, each defendant shall be entitled to four peremptory challenges; and in a case …
What does minutes of testimony mean?
a. Contents. A minute of evidence shall consist of a notice in writing stating the name and occupation of the witness upon whose testimony the indictment is found, and a full and fair statement of the witness’ testimony before the grand jury and a full and fair statement of additional expected testimony at trial.
How hard is it to prove beyond a reasonable doubt?
Establishing Reasonable Doubt This would be impossible, as only a witness to a crime can declare with absolute certainty that something occurred. However, the prosecutor must convince the jury that, after considering all the evidence, there is only one conclusion and that is that the defendant is guilty.
How do you explain reasonable doubt to a jury?
Reasonable Doubt Defined Summed up, reasonable doubt is any reason to doubt anything that the prosecution is trying to prove in its case. If a juror has any reason to doubt anything about the prosecution’s case, that’s reasonable doubt, and that juror should vote not guilty.
What types of evidence must always be turned over by the prosecutor to the defense?
What types of evidence must always be turned over by the prosecutor to the defense in virtually all jurisdictions? Exculpatory evidence is any evidence that may be favorable to the defendant.
What type of evidence is used to infer the existence of some fact in a dispute?
Indirect evidence, also sometimes referred to as circumstantial evidence, is a fact or set of facts that, if true, allow a person can infer the fact at issue. An example of direct evidence (in a murder case) is a witness testifying that she saw the defendant actually stab and kill the victim.