The Law Dictionary for Everyone
When an individual files a lawsuit against another person or entity, he must prove to the judge or jury that his claims are true. The phrase preponderance of evidence refers to the level of proof the plaintiff must provide. In simple terms, the plaintiff must prove that it is more likely than not that the facts presented are true. To […]
Read moreIn the U.S. criminal legal system, a prosecutor bears the burden of proving that the defendant is guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt” of the crime for which he has been accused. This means that the proposition, scenario, or facts presented by the prosecution must be proven to the jury to the extent that there could be no “reasonable doubt” in […]
Read moreCivil law is a body of rules that defines and protects the private rights of citizens, offers legal remedies that may be sought in a dispute, and covers areas of law such as contracts, torts, property and family law. Civil law is derived from the laws of ancient Rome which used doctrines to develop a code that determined how legal […]
Read moreAn acquittal is a formal acknowledgement that the prosecutor in a criminal case failed to prove the accused was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. While a jury may find the defendant “not guilty,” an acquittal does not necessarily prove the defendant’s innocence. Because of this, a person acquitted in a criminal court may still be sued in a civil court, […]
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