benefit of doubt In a criminal case the accused gets the benefit of doubt. If the facts and circumstances are susceptible of two interpretations, one in favour of the prosecution and the other in support of the defence version, then the rule which applies to circumstantial evidence would prevail, and the benefit of doubt, if any, would be have acquitted than that an innocent man should be wrongly convicted. The doubt must be such as reasonable men may reasonably entertain and not the doubt of a weak and vacillating mind.