---
title: O.C.G.A. § 24-14-5. Reasonable doubt in criminal cases.
collection: code
id: 24-14-5
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 24-14-5 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/24-14-5
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/24-14-5.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/24-14-5/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t24-ch8-14-(v20a)-2023-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=560fbfc0_0#page=575
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: EVIDENCE / PROOF GENERALLY / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 24-14-5. Reasonable doubt in criminal cases.

Whether dependent upon direct or circumstantial evidence, the true question in criminal cases is not whether it is possible that the conclusion at which the evidence points may be false, but whether there is sufficient evidence to satisfy the mind and conscience beyond a reasonable doubt.

## History

Code 1981, § 24-14-5, enacted by Ga. L. 2011, p. 99, § 2/HB 24.

## History of Section.

Former Code Section 24-4-5, which contained comparable provisions to this Code section, as effective January 1, 2013, was derived from the decision in John v. State, 33 Ga. 257 (1862).