Nev. Rev. Stat. » NRS: CHAPTER 175 - TRIAL
Nevada Revised Statutes

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 175.211 (2026)

Definition of reasonable doubt; no other definition to be given to juries

✓ current as of July 2026
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NRS 175.211  Definition of reasonable doubt; no other definition to be given to juries.

      1.  A reasonable doubt is one based on reason. It is not mere possible doubt, but is such a doubt as would govern or control a person in the more weighty affairs of life. If the minds of the jurors, after the entire comparison and consideration of all the evidence, are in such a condition that they can say they feel an abiding conviction of the truth of the charge, there is not a reasonable doubt. Doubt to be reasonable must be actual, not mere possibility or speculation.

      2.  No other definition of reasonable doubt may be given by the court to juries in criminal actions in this State.

      (Added to NRS by 1967, 1427; A 1991, 257)

     

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 98 cases (13 in the last 5 years), 1974–2025 · leading case: Lord v. State, 806 P.2d 548 (Nev. 1991).
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Lord v. State, 806 P.2d 548 (Nev. 1991). · cites it 14× “In Petrocelli , in contrast, this court concluded that the judge's similar comment was not prejudicial because the jury had received the proper written definition of reasonable doubt mandated by NRS 175.211 and because the judge elsewhere explained reasonable doubt in a proper…”
Garcia v. State, 113 P.3d 836 (Nev. 2005). · cites it 6× “However, we conclude that the State presented sufficient evidence on the charges of kidnapping, that the district court did not abuse its discretion in failing to hold a hearing on Garcia’s motion to dismiss counsel, and *331 that the reasonable doubt instruction required by NRS…”
Butler v. State, 102 P.3d 71 (Nev. 2004). · cites it 4× “[17] Butler also contends that the reasonable doubt instruction as set forth in NRS 175.211 that was given to the jury at the close of the guilt phase violated his due process rights.”
Canape v. State, 859 P.2d 1023 (Nev. 1993). · cites it 6× “In Lord , we upheld the validity of the NRS 175.211 instruction after finding that it was clearly distinguishable from the instruction invalidated in Cage.”
Evans v. State, 28 P.3d 498 (Nev. 2001). · cites it 2× “[42] See NRS 175.211(1). [43] See, e.g., Holmes v.”
Evans v. State, 926 P.2d 265 (Nev. 1996). · cites it 4× “[18] Finally, the district court adjourned for the day to allow defense counsel to prepare for Salley's testimony.”
McCullough v. State, 657 P.2d 1157 (Nev. 1983). · cites it 4× “” After introducing the jurors to the reasonable doubt standard provided by NRS 175.211, the judge again noted, “I have tried to give you that on a zero to ten scale.”
Servin v. State, 32 P.3d 1277 (Nev. 2001). · cites it 4× “Reasonable doubt instruction Servin challenges the reasonable doubt instructions based on NRS 175.211 that were given at the guilt and penalty phases.”
Holmes v. State, 972 P.2d 337 (Nev. 1998). · cites it 7× “NRS 175.211 provides: 1. A reasonable doubt is one based on reason.”
Batson v. State, 941 P.2d 478 (Nev. 1997). · cites it 6× “Batson contests the constitutionality of the "reasonable doubt" instruction given to his jury in as much as it defined reasonable doubt as "such doubt as would govern or control a person in the more weighty affairs of life.”
Jackson v. State, 572 P.2d 927 (Nev. 1977). · cites it 8× “[3] NRS 175.211 Reasonable doubt defined; no other definition to be given to juries.”
Blake v. State, 121 P.3d 567 (Nev. 2005). · cites it 2× “The instruction also defined reasonable doubt in accordance with NRS 175.211 and concluded: "If you have a reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the Defendant, he is entitled to a verdict of not guilty.”
Show all 98 citing cases →
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 175.211(1) — 34 cases
Evans v. State, 28 P.3d 498 (Nev. 2001). “[42] See NRS 175.211(1). [43] See, e.g., Holmes v.”
Evans v. State, 926 P.2d 265 (Nev. 1996). “[18] Finally, the district court adjourned for the day to allow defense counsel to prepare for Salley's testimony.”
Canape v. State, 859 P.2d 1023 (Nev. 1993). “In Lord , we upheld the validity of the NRS 175.211 instruction after finding that it was clearly distinguishable from the instruction invalidated in Cage.”
Leonard v. State, 17 P.3d 397 (Nev. 2001).
Garcia v. State, 113 P.3d 836 (Nev. 2005). “However, we conclude that the State presented sufficient evidence on the charges of kidnapping, that the district court did not abuse its discretion in failing to hold a hearing on Garcia’s motion to dismiss counsel, and *331 that the reasonable doubt instruction required by NRS…”
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 175.211(2) — 22 cases
Servin v. State, 32 P.3d 1277 (Nev. 2001). “Reasonable doubt instruction Servin challenges the reasonable doubt instructions based on NRS 175.211 that were given at the guilt and penalty phases.”
Middleton v. State, 968 P.2d 296 (Nev. 1998).
Garcia v. State, 113 P.3d 836 (Nev. 2005). “However, we conclude that the State presented sufficient evidence on the charges of kidnapping, that the district court did not abuse its discretion in failing to hold a hearing on Garcia’s motion to dismiss counsel, and *331 that the reasonable doubt instruction required by NRS…”
Leonard v. State, 969 P.2d 288 (Nev. 1998).
Ogden v. State, 607 P.2d 576 (Nev. 1980).
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