Assume that state law does not require trial courts to offer a jury instruction in any particular format that describes the concept of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. If the trial court failed to offer any instructions to the jury that it must find guilt, if at all, by the standard of beyond a reasonable doubt, and a conviction resulted, an appellate court should:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The failure to instruct the jury on the standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt violates the defendant's due process rights. Therefore, the judgment should be reversed if the jury returned a guilty verdict. The defendant is not required to request an instruction on the standard of proof, and the failure to provide such an instruction is a fundamental error that can be raised for the first time on appeal. The fact that the judge did not offer such an instruction cannot be used as a justification for failing to reverse the verdict.

Assume That State Law Does Not Require Trial Courts to Offer