In a civil case, a jury's decision must be based on which standard of evidence?

In a civil case, the standard of evidence that a jury must use to reach its decision is known as "preponderance of the evidence." This means that the jury must find that it is more likely than not that the facts presented in a case are true. Essentially, the evidence must tilt the scale in favor of one side, achieving a greater than 50% probability that the claims of that side are valid. This standard is lower than the standards used in criminal cases, which require proof "beyond a reasonable doubt," emphasizing that civil liability can be determined with a lesser burden of proof.

The choice of standard of evidence in civil cases reflects the nature of civil law, which generally deals with disputes between individuals or entities regarding rights, obligations, and liabilities. Therefore, when a jury is tasked with making decisions in civil cases, evaluating whether the evidence meets this preponderance standard ensures that verdicts are based on more likely truths, guiding the jury in their deliberations.