What does "Corpus Delicti" refer to in legal terms?

"Corpus Delicti" is a Latin term that translates to "the body of the crime." In legal contexts, it refers to the principle that a crime must be proven to have occurred before a person can be convicted of that crime. This concept emphasizes the requirement of evidence indicating that a crime took place, not just that a person committed it.

For example, in a homicide case, the corpus delicti would include evidence that a death has occurred and that it resulted from a criminal act rather than from natural causes or accidents. Establishing the corpus delicti is a crucial step in the prosecution of a criminal case, as it seeks to ensure that individuals are not wrongfully accused or convicted without sufficient proof that a crime has indeed occurred.