Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book

2024 version: As effective October 1, 2024

F. Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

The standard “beyond a reasonable doubt” is met when the trier of fact is fully satisfied, or entirely convinced that something occurred. The burden applies to:

•   Termination cases subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act. 25 U.S.C. § 1912(f).

The “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard which applies in ICWA cases is the highest standard of proof in a termination of parental rights case under Texas law, signaling the weight of this decision on the trier of fact.