What is the "preponderance of evidence"?

The "preponderance of evidence" is the standard used in civil cases to determine the outcome of a dispute. This standard requires that a party's evidence be more convincing and probable than the evidence presented by the opposing party. Essentially, it means that there is a greater than 50% chance that what one side claims is true. This standard is lower than that used in criminal cases, where the burden of proof is "beyond a reasonable doubt." In civil matters, demonstrating a preponderance of evidence allows the plaintiff to succeed in their claim, making it a critical concept for understanding how legal decisions are reached in civil litigation.