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"The Prosecution Rests"

10/21/2011

29 Comments

 
The prosecution is expected to rest today in the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor.  What does it mean when the prosecution "rests?"  It basically means the prosecution has finished presenting the evidence it has to try to prove the defendant guilty.  It has finishind its case-in-chief.  The defense then has the opportunity to put on evidence if it so chooses. 

Unlike the prosecution, the defense in a criminal trial need not put on any case at all.  This is because the prosecution has the burden of proof.  To convict someone, the prosecution must prove the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  Here, the prosecution must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Dr. Murray committed involuntary manslaughter against Michael Jackson.  (See prior posts here and here for more about the involuntary manslaughter charges.) 

Once the prosecution has presented all the evidence it believes proves the defendant guilty, it rests its case.  The defense then has the option of putting on its own case.  However, the defendant need not do anything.  He may simply attempt to poke holes in the prosecution's case, and argue to the jury that the prosecution did not meet its burden of proof. 

If the jury has a reasonble doubt, whether based on weaknesses in the prosecution's case or the strength of the defense evidence or both, it must acquit.  Although they need not do so, Dr. Conrad Murray's defense attorneys have indicated they intend to call witnesses in his defense.  If Dr. Murray chose to testify, that would also happen during the defense case. 
29 Comments
roxywaters link
10/28/2013 10:08:18 am

Good read

Reply
Blythe
10/29/2013 01:52:29 am

Thanks!

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Lisa Grier
3/9/2023 02:32:48 pm

After the prosecution rest at a preliminary
hearing, can a person be indicted for a charge.

Reply
Yahaya Achadu link
11/26/2016 07:52:37 am

I have a question and it goes like this. After the prosecutor has closed his case, can the defense rest its case on the prosecution evidence without necessarily entering defense?

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Blythe
12/1/2016 09:39:19 am

Absolutely. Since it's the prosecution's burden to prove a defendant guilty (beyond a reasonable doubt), the defense need do nothing.

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Oladapo Lawrence
7/23/2019 06:51:50 am

can the defense reopen his case having earlier rested his case on the prosecutions case. To enable the defense the opportunity to make a defense and call witnesses?

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Blythe link
7/25/2019 07:27:59 am

With permission of the judge (and for a good reason), either side may reopen the case after they've rested. In the normal course of things, the prosecution presents its case-in-chief, then if the defense wishes it can present its case, the prosecution can then present rebuttal evidence to respond to the defense case, and the defense can present a surrebuttal to rebut the prosecution's new rebuttal evidence, and so on. It's very rare for a case to go back and forth that much, but it can.

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10/27/2022 10:53:22 pm

Thank you for pointing out that in order to convict someone, the prosecution must establish their case beyond a reasonable doubt. My friend has a money laundering allegiance against him. I will assist him in locating a criminal defense lawyer who will represent him.

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12/20/2022 07:21:08 am

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2/2/2023 12:47:38 am

Thank you for saying that if the jury has a reasonable doubt—based on either the quality of the defense's evidence or the prosecution's proof or both—it must find the defendant not guilty. My acquaintance was charged with DUI. I'll advise her to hire a criminal defense attorney so they can strengthen the case for her not being at fault.

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5/30/2023 02:40:18 pm

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3/4/2024 06:02:07 pm

This article does a great job of explaining what it means when the prosecution "rests" in a trial. It breaks down the legal process in a clear and understandable way, highlighting the roles of both the prosecution and the defense. By emphasizing the burden of proof on the prosecution and the option for the defense to present its case or simply challenge the prosecution's evidence, the article helps readers grasp the dynamics of a criminal trial. The example of Dr. Conrad Murray's trial adds relevance to the explanation, making it easier to understand. Overall, it's a well-written piece that sheds light on an important aspect of the legal system. Great job in making such a complex topic accessible to readers!

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3/4/2024 11:00:16 pm

This article provides a clear explanation of what it means when the prosecution "rests" in a trial, using the case of Michael Jackson's doctor as an example. It breaks down the legal process in a way that's easy to understand, emphasizing the roles of both the prosecution and the defense. The article effectively highlights the burden of proof on the prosecution and the option for the defense to present its own case or simply challenge the prosecution's evidence. Overall, it's a helpful resource for anyone curious about the inner workings of a criminal trial, and it leaves the reader with a better understanding of how the legal system operates.

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3/19/2024 11:22:28 pm

This article provides a clear explanation of what it means when the prosecution "rests" in a criminal trial, using the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor as an example. It simplifies complex legal concepts into easily understandable terms, helping readers grasp the dynamics of a courtroom proceeding. By outlining the roles of the prosecution and defense, it sheds light on the burden of proof and the options available to the defendant. The article's straightforward language and concise explanations make it accessible to readers who may be unfamiliar with legal terminology, enhancing understanding of the trial process. Overall, it's an informative piece that demystifies an aspect of the legal system, making it easier for readers to follow along with the proceedings. Great job in breaking down such intricate concepts in a way that's easy to comprehend!

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5/8/2024 07:39:34 pm

This article does a fantastic job of breaking down a complex legal concept, "the prosecution rests," in a clear and understandable way. By explaining that it signifies the end of the prosecution's presentation of evidence in a trial, it helps demystify the legal process for readers. Additionally, it highlights the critical role of the defense in a criminal trial and the burden of proof on the prosecution. The article's use of examples, such as the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor, makes the information relatable and engaging. Overall, this article provides valuable insight into the workings of a criminal trial, empowering readers to better understand the legal proceedings. Great job in simplifying such an important aspect of the law!

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Grace Legal Group Inc. link
5/8/2024 09:04:22 pm

This article does a fantastic job of explaining what it means when the prosecution "rests" in a trial, especially in such a high-profile case involving Michael Jackson's doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray. It breaks down complex legal concepts in a way that's easy to understand, even for someone like me who isn't familiar with legal jargon. By clarifying the roles of both the prosecution and defense, as well as the burden of proof, the article provides valuable insight into the workings of the courtroom. Overall, it's a well-written and informative piece that helps readers grasp the significance of this phase in the trial process. Great job on making such a complicated topic accessible to everyone!

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5/9/2024 08:14:33 pm

This article adeptly simplifies the intricate legal concept of "the prosecution rests," making it accessible to readers. By clarifying that it signals the conclusion of the prosecution's evidence presentation in a trial, it demystifies the legal process. Moreover, it underscores the pivotal role of the defense in a criminal trial and the burden of proof borne by the prosecution. The inclusion of real-world examples, like the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor, adds relatability and keeps readers engaged. Overall, the article offers valuable insight into the dynamics of a criminal trial, enabling readers to grasp legal proceedings more effectively. Well done on elucidating such a significant aspect of the law!



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7/5/2024 07:04:42 am

Reading this article about what it means when the prosecution "rests" really helped me understand a crucial part of the trial process. I learned that after the prosecution finishes presenting its evidence, the defense has the chance to present its case or simply challenge the prosecution's evidence. This explanation clarified why the burden of proof is so important and how the defense can sometimes win by just showing weaknesses in the prosecution's case. Thank you for making this complex topic so clear and relatable—it really deepened my understanding of courtroom procedures.






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8/27/2024 10:55:57 pm

I really enjoyed reading this article about what “the prosecution rests” means in a trial. It made a complicated legal term much easier to understand by explaining that it’s when the prosecution finishes presenting their evidence. I also liked how you pointed out the important role of the defense and the burden of proof on the prosecution. The example of Michael Jackson’s doctor made everything even clearer and more interesting. This article helped me get a better grasp of how trials work, and you did a fantastic job of making such an important topic easy to follow. Thanks for the great explanation!

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Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer link
8/27/2024 11:25:58 pm

This article does a great job of explaining what it means when the prosecution "rests" in a trial, using the Michael Jackson case as an example. It took a complex legal term and made it easy to understand, even for someone like me who isn’t familiar with legal stuff. I now get why this part of the trial is so important and how it affects the next steps. Your clear explanations of the roles of both sides and the burden of proof were super helpful. Overall, this article made a tricky topic much easier to grasp. You did an excellent job breaking it down!

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    Author

    Blythe Leszkay is a successful and experienced criminal attorney, criminal law professor, and consultant to writers and filmmakers.  See About Me.  This blog is intended to answer common criminal law questions, dispel misconceptions, and explain misunderstood criminal law concepts.  It is also a place to discuss any crime or law related topics of interest.  Contact me for a free initial consultation on your film or writing project.

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