Who holds the burden of proof in a criminal trial?

In a criminal trial, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution. This means that it is the responsibility of the prosecution to present sufficient evidence to convince the jury of the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a fundamental principle of the criminal justice system, which emphasizes that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The high standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt" is designed to ensure that there is a strong level of certainty regarding the defendant's guilt before any punishment is imposed.

The burden of proof does not shift to the defendant; rather, the defendant has the right to remain silent or to provide an alibi or defense but is not required to prove their innocence. Other roles, such as those of the judge and jury, are critical in the trial process, but they do not hold the burden of proof. The judge oversees the legal proceedings, ensuring that rules are followed, while the jury evaluates the evidence presented to reach a verdict based on the prosecution’s case.