Victorian Current Acts

JURY DIRECTIONS ACT 2015 - SECT 64

S. 64(1) amended by No. 38/2022 s. 58(2).

    (1)     In explaining the phrase "proof beyond reasonable doubt" under section 63 , the trial judge may—

        (a)     refer to—

              (i)     the presumption of innocence; and

              (ii)     the prosecution's obligation to prove that the accused is guilty; or

        (b)     indicate that it is not enough for the prosecution to persuade the jury that the accused is probably guilty or very likely to be guilty; or

        (c)     indicate that—

              (i)     it is almost impossible to prove anything with absolute certainty when reconstructing past events; and

              (ii)     the prosecution does not have to do so; or

        (d)     indicate that the jury cannot be satisfied that the accused is guilty if the jury has a reasonable doubt about whether the accused is guilty; or

        (e)     indicate that a reasonable doubt is not an imaginary or fanciful doubt or an unrealistic possibility.

S. 64(2) substituted by No. 38/2022 s. 58(3).

    (2)     If the trial judge explains the phrase "proof beyond reasonable doubt" in response to a question asked by the jury as described in section 63(5), the trial judge may adapt the explanation to address the particular question asked.

Pt 7 Div. 2 (Heading and ss 64A– 64D) inserted by No. 37/2017 s. 9.

Division 2—Perseverance and majority verdicts

S. 64A inserted by No. 37/2017 s. 9.