If you are in the courtroom battling a claim, then you must have evidence to support it to tip the scale in your favor. This concept is known as the burden of proof and is implied to ensure a fair trial and a just legal system.
What Does it Mean?
It is a legal concept that obligates a party in a dispute to render sufficient evidence for their position. Usually, this obligation is on the person who makes a claim. The burden of proof is used in both public and private legal disputes to ensure that all parties have a fair chance to win.
Understanding the Burden of Proof
The burden of proof is a way to make sure that all legal decisions are made based on facts and figures rather than hearsay and feelings. It is the duty of the party initiating the lawsuit to support its claims with facts and evidence.
More often than not, attorneys are given the responsibility of collecting evidence and establishing a burden of proof on behalf of a plaintiff.
Types
There are three levels of burden of proof:
- Preponderance of the Evidence: This level of burden of proof is usually used in civil cases to prove that the defendant party is responsible for the damages more than 50%. It is commonly employed In situations where plaintiffs seek financial compensation for damages like medical bills, lost wages, or property damage.
- Clear and Convincing Evidence: Compared to the preponderance of the evidence, this level of burden of proof needs higher, much more accurate evidence. It not only includes presenting clear facts but also involves convincing that eliminates doubts. This standard is used in child custody battles, adoption proceedings, deportation hearings, and maybe those critical cases where one party needs to prove their position, and there is no room for further speculation.
- Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: It is the highest legal standard and is used in criminal lawsuits. The prosecution has to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. For this standard, the evidence presented must be exceedingly convincing that no reasonable person would ever question the defendant’s guilt.
This level of burden of proof is commonly a part of criminal prosecutions, such as murder trials, to ensure that innocent people are not wrongly convicted. Not only that, but it also protects the rights of the accused.
Burden Of Proof Vs. Standard of Proof
Both these concepts are often used interchangeably; however, they have some differences:
The burden of proof is actually the responsibility of the accused party in a legal dispute to provide sufficient evidence that can support their claim or defense. They are supposed to prove that a particular fact is true or false in any way possible.
On the other hand, the standard of proof refers to the degree or level of proof which is demanded to prove an allegation. You can take this as a measure, which is used to determine whether the burden of proof has been met.
Closing Note
Our attorneys are here to help you out if you find yourself in a situation where you need legal advice to move forward. Do not hesitate to contact our skilled lawyer to help you in every way possible. Get in touch with George Edwards III, a founder and partner at Edwards Sutarwalla Samani LLP from Howard University School of Law, his main practice areas include civil rights and personal injury. Call us at (713) 565-1353 for more information.