Legal Definitions - sufficiency-of-evidence test

Definition: The sufficiency-of-evidence test is a guideline used in criminal procedure to determine whether there is enough evidence to warrant a conviction. It is used by a grand jury when considering whether to indict a suspect. If all the evidence presented is uncontradicted and unexplained, it would be enough to convict the suspect.

Example: A grand jury is considering whether to indict a suspect for robbery. The prosecution presents evidence that the suspect was seen on surveillance footage at the scene of the crime, and that the suspect's DNA was found on a piece of evidence left at the scene. If this evidence is uncontradicted and unexplained, it would be enough to warrant a conviction by the fact-trier.

Explanation: The sufficiency-of-evidence test is used to ensure that there is enough evidence to support a conviction. In the example, the evidence presented by the prosecution is uncontradicted and unexplained, meaning that there is no other evidence that contradicts or explains it. Therefore, it would be enough to convict the suspect if the case went to trial.