What does "preponderance of evidence" imply in civil cases?

The phrase "preponderance of evidence" in the context of civil cases refers to the standard of proof that requires one party's evidence to be more convincing than the opposing party's evidence. This means that the evidence presented must demonstrate that something is more likely true than not true, effectively tipping the scales in favor of one side.

In civil litigation, this is a less stringent standard than what is required in criminal cases, where the evidence must establish guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt." In contrast, the preponderance of evidence standard simply requires that the evidence shows that there is a greater than 50% chance that the claim is true. This approach facilitates resolution in civil disputes, where the stakes are often financial or contractual rather than criminal penalties.

Overall, the emphasis is on the quality and credibility of the evidence presented, as well as the weight it carries in establishing the validity of a claim.