{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "cpl", "section": "70.20", "citation": "CPL § 70.20", "heading": "Standards of proof for conviction", "text": ["§ 70.20  Standards of proof for conviction.", "No conviction of an offense by verdict is valid unless based upon trial evidence which is legally sufficient and which establishes beyond a reasonable doubt every element of such offense and the defendant's commission thereof."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CPL/70.20", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A conviction by verdict is valid only if the **trial evidence is legally sufficient** and proves **beyond a reasonable doubt every element of the offense and the defendant's commission of it**. ★", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/cpl/70.20", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}