1. MCA Contents
  2. TITLE 46
  3. CHAPTER 16
  4. Part 2
  5. 46-16-204 Defendant presumed innocent -- reasonable doubt

Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 46. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 16. TRIAL

Part 2. Rules of Evidence for Criminal Cases

Defendant Presumed Innocent -- Reasonable Doubt

46-16-204. Defendant presumed innocent -- reasonable doubt. A defendant in a criminal action is presumed to be innocent until the contrary is proved, and in case of a reasonable doubt whether the defendant's guilt is satisfactorily shown, the defendant must be found not guilty.

History: En. Sec. 186, p. 245, Bannack Stat.; re-en. Sec. 307, p. 237, Cod. Stat. 1871; re-en. Sec. 307, 3d Div. Rev. Stat. 1879; re-en. Sec. 308, 3d Div. Comp. Stat. 1887; en. Sec. 2072, Pen. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 9273, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 11971, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Pen. C. Sec. 1096; re-en. Sec. 11971, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 94-7203, R.C.M. 1947; redes. 95-2901 by Sec. 29, Ch. 513, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 95-2901; amd. Sec. 196, Ch. 800, L. 1991; Sec. 46-16-601, MCA 1989; redes. 46-16-204 by Code Commissioner, 1991.