People sometimes make false accusations, and it can lead to devastating results. The high drama and stress of especially contentious divorces , for example, can lead to spiteful accusations with little or no bearing in reality. There are many motivations for making false accusations, but none are acceptable. If you have been falsely accused of a crime in Texas, you should not wait to consult with an experienced Killeen criminal defense attorney. Being charged with a crime that you did not commit can still lead to severe consequences that include a decrease in your social standing, which can be challenging to come back from.
Too many people believe that wrongful accusations will correct themselves and fail to take a proactive stance as a result.
While you are innocent until proven guilty, the stain of an accusation is not something you should take lightly. Reaching out to consult with a dedicated criminal defense attorney early on is always in your best interest. In order to be convicted of a crime in Texas, the prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt , which is a very high legal bar.
Beyond a reasonable doubt in this context translates to a level of doubt held by the trier of fact — either a jury or the presiding judge — that would make a reasonable person hesitate to act. In civil cases, the burden of proof is considerably lower. The prosecution requires a preponderance of evidence to convict someone of a civil charge. This preponderance of the evidence standard means that there is a greater than 50 percent chance that the charge is true — or it is more likely than not that the charge is true.
While there is no specific percentage of chance associated with beyond a reasonable doubt, those legal authorities who do assign a number tend to use percentages in the high 90s. If, however, after careful consideration of all the evidence, the jury has lingering doubt, this high standard is not reached.
