N.Y. Criminal Procedure Law § 70.10: Standards of proof; definitions of terms

§ 70.10 Standards of proof; definitions of terms.

The following definitions are applicable to this chapter:

1. "Legally sufficient evidence" means competent evidence which, if

accepted as true, would establish every element of an offense charged

and the defendant's commission thereof; except that such evidence is not

legally sufficient when corroboration required by law is absent.

2. "Reasonable cause to believe that a person has committed an

offense" exists when evidence or information which appears reliable

discloses facts or circumstances which are collectively of such weight

and persuasiveness as to convince a person of ordinary intelligence,

judgment and experience that it is reasonably likely that such offense

was committed and that such person committed it. Except as otherwise

provided in this chapter, such apparently reliable evidence may include

or consist of hearsay.