What standard do Superior Courts use to determine guilt or innocence?

Superior Courts, which typically handle serious criminal cases in Georgia, utilize the standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt" to determine guilt or innocence. This standard is the highest level of proof used within the legal system and serves to ensure that there is a significant level of certainty regarding the defendant's guilt before a conviction can be rendered. It reflects the principle that it is better for a guilty person to go free than for an innocent person to be wrongly convicted, thereby upholding the integrity of the justice system.

The other standards mentioned play roles in different contexts within the legal process. For example, "clear and convincing evidence" is often used in civil cases, which requires a higher degree of certainty than "preponderance of evidence," commonly employed in civil litigation and reflects that one side's evidence outweighs the other. "Probable cause" is a standard used to issue warrants or make arrests and does not pertain to determining guilt or innocence in court. Thus, in a trial setting when assessing criminal liability, "beyond a reasonable doubt" is the appropriate and binding standard for Superior Courts.