Mont. Code § 26-1-403 : EVIDENCE — STATUTORY PROVISIONS ON EVIDENCE — BURDENS OF PROOF —1-403 - Instructions to jury on standard of proof required to meet burden of persuasion TEXT PDF The jury is to be instructed by the court on all proper occasions: (1) that in civil cases the affirmative of the issue must be proved, and when the evidence is contradictory, the decision must be made according to the preponderance of the evidence; and (2) that in criminal cases guilt must be established beyond reasonable doubt. § 26-1-403, MCA En. Sec. 3390, C. Civ. Proc. 1895; re-en. Sec. 8028, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 10672, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. C. Civ. Proc. Sec. 2061; re-en. Sec. 10672, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 93-2001-1(part).