In the U.S., the way evidence is used can vary greatly depending on whether it’s a civil or criminal case. This difference is important because it can have a significant impact on the outcome of a case. Simply put, both civil and criminal cases have their own legal standard of proof that needs to be met before a judge or jury can make a decision.
This distinction between civil and criminal cases is a key part of the U.S. legal system — ensuring that justice is served fairly, while also considering practical realities. If you need a personal injury lawyer to help you through the legal process, contact our team of Los Angeles personal injury lawyers today.
What Is the Difference Between a Civil and Criminal Case?
Criminal cases, where someone’s liberty is at stake, require a higher standard of proof than civil cases, which resolve disputes between private parties.
Understanding how these different standards work helps explain why courts sometimes reach different conclusions, even when the facts might seem similar. It’s also why having the right legal support is so important, as the type of case and the level of proof required can make all the difference.
What is the Preponderance of Evidence?
A civil case is a dispute between parties seeking money or specific actions from each other. The plaintiff might be an individual, business, or even the government, while the defendant can be any of these as well. Common examples include personal injury lawsuits, contract disputes, property conflicts, and divorce proceedings.
In these cases, courts apply the “preponderance of evidence” standard of proof. This requires the plaintiff to demonstrate that their version of events is more likely than not to be true — a probability exceeding 50%. For example, in a breach of contract dispute, the plaintiff must show it is more probable than not that the defendant failed to fulfill their contractual obligations.
Courts adopted this lower threshold for civil matters because these cases typically involve monetary damages or injunctive relief rather than imprisonment. This standard of proof allows for efficient resolution of disputes while still requiring meaningful proof of claims.
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