In civil cases, when is the burden of proof met?

• A. The burden is met when there is no plausible defense
• B. The burden is met when the opposing party fails to produce evidence
• C. The burden is met when there is a greater than 50% chance the claim is true
• D. The burden is met beyond a reasonable doubt

Answer: (C)

In civil cases, the main concept is the standard of proof called preponderance of the evidence—the claim must be more likely true than not. So the burden is met when the evidence tips the scales to the plaintiff’s side by more than 50%, meaning there’s a greater than 50% chance the claim is true. This is different from criminal cases, which require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. It’s not satisfied merely because the other side has no plausible defense or because they fail to produce evidence; the decision rests on whether the presented evidence makes the claim more likely true than not.