What is the burden of proof in civil cases?

In California, the burden of proof in civil cases is generally referred to as the "preponderance of the evidence" standard. This means that the party who brings the lawsuit must prove that their case is more likely true than not true. This is a lower standard of proof than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard used in criminal cases. To meet this burden of proof, the party bringing the lawsuit must present evidence that is more convincing than the evidence presented by the opposing party. A party can meet the burden of proof by presenting testimony from witnesses, expert witnesses, physical evidence, or documents. However, the party must present enough evidence to prove that their case is more likely true than not true. This means that the party must prove their case with more than just a "preponderance of opinion" or speculation. The amount and type of evidence needed to meet the burden of proof will vary depending on the specific case. In addition, the burden of proof will sometimes shift between the two parties during a trial. This means that one party may need to present more evidence to meet their burden of proof than the other party. For example, if one party is making a claim about a certain fact being true, the opposing party can try to prove that it is false, thus shifting the burden of proof to the party making the claim. Overall, in civil cases in California, the burden of proof lies with the party who brings the lawsuit and must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. The amount and type of evidence needed to meet this burden of proof can vary depending on the specific case and the parties involved.

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