"Beyond a reasonable doubt" is perhaps the most famous legal standard. It's the standard of proof for the prosecution—who has the burden of proving the defendant guilty—in a criminal case. But other standards of proof come into play in both criminal and civil cases, and the burden of proof can shift from one side to the other.
Burdens of Proof in Criminal Cases
Generally, the prosecution has the burden of proving every
The following are the most common standards of proof in civil and criminal cases, from lowest to highest. The standard that applies depends on the type of case.
What's the difference between the burden of proof and the standard of proof?
Every day, in courtrooms around the country, legal matters are being argued in front of judges and juries.