ALTERNATIVE-MEANS DOCTRINE

alternative-means doctrine.Criminal law. The principle that when a crime may be committed

in  more  than  one  way,  the  jury  must  be  unanimous  on  the  defendant’s  guilt  but  need  not  be

unanimous  on  the  possible  different  methods  of  committing  the  crime,  as  long  as  each  possible

method is supported by substantial evidence. [Cases: Criminal Law    872.5. C.J.S. Criminal Law

§§ 1396–1398, 1543.] [Blacks Law 8th]