MODEL PENAL CODE ANNOTATED
 

MODEL PENAL CODE

 
Section 1.12. Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt; Affirmative Defenses; Burden of Proving Fact When Not an Element of an Offense;  Presumptions.

 (1) No person may be convicted of an offense unless each element of such offense is proved beyond a reasonable doubt.  In the absence of such proof, the innocence of the defendant is assumed.

 (2) Subsection (1) of this Section does not:

  (a) require the disproof of an affirmative defense unless and until there is evidence supporting such defense;  or

  (b) apply to any defense which the Code or another statute plainly requires the defendant to prove by a preponderance of evidence.

 (3) A ground of defense is affirmative, within the meaning of Subsection (2)(a) of this Section, when:

  (a) it arises under a section of the Code which so provides;  or

  (b) it relates to an offense defined by a statute other than the Code and such statute so provides;  or

  (c) it involves a matter of excuse or justification peculiarly within the knowledge of the defendant on which he can fairly be required to adduce supporting evidence.

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