In criminal proceedings, who is required to prove the defendant's guilt?

In criminal proceedings, the burden of proof lies with the prosecutor. This is a foundational principle of criminal law known as the presumption of innocence, which asserts that a defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty. The prosecutor must present sufficient evidence to demonstrate the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This high standard of proof ensures that individuals are not unjustly convicted of crimes simply based on insufficient or circumstantial evidence.

The defense attorney's role is to advocate for the defendant, potentially challenging the prosecutor's evidence and providing an alternative perspective. On the other hand, the judge's function is to oversee the trial, ensure legal procedures are followed, and provide rulings on legal issues that arise during the proceedings. The jury, when present, is tasked with deliberating and reaching a verdict based on the evidence presented by the prosecutor and the defense, but they do not bear the responsibility for proving guilt; that is solely the prosecutor's duty.