In civil cases, the plaintiff must prove the case by a preponderance of the evidence. Which burden of proof applies?

• A. Prosecutorial discretion
• B. Race-of-victim effect
• C. Burden of proof in civil cases
• D. Ecological contamination

Answer: (C)

In civil cases, the main concept is the standard of proof the plaintiff must meet: a preponderance of the evidence. This means the plaintiff must persuade the fact-finder that the claimed facts are more likely true than not—i.e., the scales tip slightly in the plaintiff’s favor, just over 50%. This lower threshold contrasts with criminal cases, which require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. So, the burden of proof in civil cases is the standard of proof that applies here.

The other options don’t describe this standard. Prosecutorial discretion concerns charging decisions in criminal cases; the race-of-victim effect refers to a bias concept in how cases are perceived; ecological contamination is a factual topic, not a proof standard.