What is the standard of proof in ordinary civil cases?

• A. Beyond a reasonable doubt
• B. Clear and convincing evidence
• C. Preponderance of evidence
• D. Probable cause

Answer: (C)

In civil cases, the plaintiff must prove their claim by a preponderance of the evidence: the greater weight of the evidence favors their version of events. This means that if the evidence presented shows that the claim is more likely true than not, the plaintiff wins. It’s not about eliminating all doubt or proving something beyond a shadow of a doubt; it’s about tipping the scales in favor of the claim.

This standard is distinct from criminal cases, which require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. There are civil situations where a higher standard, such as clear and convincing evidence, may apply, but that’s not the ordinary civil standard. Probable cause, by contrast, is a threshold used to justify certain police actions like arrests and searches, not a standard used to decide civil disputes.