What is the standard of proof in a civil trial?

In a civil trial in Virginia, the standard of proof is referred to as a “preponderance of the evidence”. This means that the party bringing the case must prove that it is more likely than not that the facts of their case are true. This means that if the jury thinks that the evidence provided by one side is more convincing or compelling than what is presented by the other side, then they must side with that party. The preponderance of the evidence standard is a lower standard of proof than in a criminal trial, where the standard is “beyond a reasonable doubt”. This means that the prosecution must prove that guilt is the only reasonable conclusion to be drawn from the evidence provided. This is a much higher standard of proof than in a civil trial. The fact that a lower standard of proof is used for civil trials does not mean that the jury may simply assume that the facts are true with no evidence. The jury still must consider all the evidence presented in order to reach their conclusion. The jury must weigh the evidence and decide which side has provided convincing evidence to support their claims. If the jury finds that one side has presented more compelling evidence than the other, then they must find in favor of that side.

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What is the standard of proof in a civil trial?

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