Criminal Defense Lawyer in North Texas
When you are facing criminal charges in Texas, the legal system can feel overwhelming and tilted against you. However, the cornerstone of the American justice system—and specifically the Texas legal system—is a powerful protection for the accused: the presumption of innocence.
At Beltz Law Group, we believe that understanding your rights is the first step in building a strong defense. Central to this is understanding the “Burden of Proof.”
The Gold Standard: Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
In a civil case (like a car accident lawsuit), the burden of proof is usually a “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning it is more likely than not that something happened. But in a criminal case, where a person’s liberty is at stake, the standard is much higher.
According to Texas Penal Code Section 2.01, the state must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Texas Penal Code Section 2.01 States:
“All persons are presumed to be innocent and no person may be convicted of an offense unless each element of the offense is proved beyond a reasonable doubt. The fact that he has been arrested, confined, or indicted for, or otherwise charged with, the offense gives rise to no inference of guilt at his trial.”
Breaking Down the Law
There are three critical components to Section 2.01 that every defendant should understand:
1. The Presumption of Innocence
Criminal Defense Lawyer North Texas
You do not enter the courtroom as a “criminal.” Under Texas law, you are legally innocent until the moment a judge or jury decides otherwise. You are not required to prove you are innocent; rather, the State of Texas (the prosecution) carries the entire weight of proving you are guilty.
2. Proving “Each Element”
A criminal offense is broken down into “elements.” For example, in a theft case, the state must prove you took property, that it wasn’t yours, and that you intended to deprive the owner of it. If the prosecution proves you took the property but fails to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you intended to keep it, you cannot be convicted.
The prosecution must hit the mark on every single element. If even one piece of the puzzle is missing or shaky, the law requires an acquittal.
3. Arrest is Not Evidence
It is a common misconception that “if the police arrested them, they must have done something wrong.” Section 2.01 explicitly forbids this line of thinking. The fact that you were handcuffed, sat in a jail cell, or were indicted by a grand jury cannot be used as evidence of your guilt. These are merely procedural steps, not proof of a crime.
Why “Reasonable Doubt” Matters
“Beyond a reasonable doubt” is the highest standard of proof in our legal system. It does not mean “beyond all doubt” or “100% certainty,” but it does mean that the evidence must be so convincing that a reasonable person would not hesitate to rely on it in the most important of their own affairs.
If a juror has a “reasonable doubt” based on the evidence (or lack thereof), their legal duty is to return a verdict of Not Guilty.
Criminal Defense Attorney North Texas
How Beltz Law Group Can Help
The prosecution has the resources of the state behind them to try and meet this high burden. You need a legal team that knows how to expose the gaps in their narrative. At Beltz Law Group, we focus on:
- Identifying missing elements in the prosecution’s case.
- Challenging the reliability of witnesses and evidence.
- Ensuring the jury understands their duty to uphold the presumption of innocence.
If you or a loved one are facing charges, don’t leave your future to chance. Let us hold the State to its burden.
