POST-TRIAL: INTRODUCTORY                                CALCRIM No. 221

The People are required to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

Proof beyond a reasonable doubt is proof that leaves you with an abiding conviction that the allegation is true. The evidence does not need to eliminate all possible doubt because everything in life is open to some possible or imaginary doubt.

In deciding whether the People have proved (an/the) allegation beyond a reasonable doubt, you must impartially compare and consider all the evidence that was received during this [phase of the] trial. Unless the evidence proves (an/the) allegation beyond a reasonable doubt, you must find that the allegation has not been proved [and disregard it completely].

New January 2006

BENCH NOTES

Instructional Duty

The court has a sua sponte duty to instruct on reasonable doubt in any proceeding in which that standard of proof applies.

This instruction is provided for the court to use only in bifurcated trials or special proceedings where the court is required to instruct on reasonable doubt but CALCRIM No. 220, Reasonable Doubt, would not be appropriate as written. Do not use this instruction in place of CALCRIM No. 220 in a trial on the substantive crimes charged.

This instruction should be used only in the following situations:

1.         When the court has granted a bifurcated trial on a prior conviction or a sentencing factor (see CALCRIM No. 3101, Prior Conviction: Bifurcated Trial and CALCRIM No. 3251, Enhancement, Sentencing Factor, or Specific Factual Issue: Template—Bifurcated Trial);

2.         When the court is conducting a trial on a petition to commit someone as a sexually violent predator or for an extension of commitment (see CALCRIM No. 3453, Extension of Commitment and CALCRIM No. 3454, Commitment as Sexually Violent Predator); or

3.         In the penalty phase of a capital trial when the court is instructing on other violent criminal activity or prior felony convictions offered as

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CALCRIM 221. Reasonable Doubt: Bifurcated Trial-Page 47