What standard must be met to win a civil lawsuit?

In a civil lawsuit, the standard that must be met to win is "by a preponderance of the evidence." This means that the evidence presented by the plaintiff must demonstrate that it is more likely than not that their claims are true. It is a lower standard of proof compared to criminal cases, where the standard is beyond a reasonable doubt. The preponderance of the evidence standard requires the jury or judge to believe that there is greater than 50% likelihood that the claims are valid based on the evidence presented.

This standard reflects the civil nature of the proceedings, where the stakes typically involve monetary compensation or specific performance rather than criminal penalties, which is why the burden of proof is less stringent. The focus is on the quality and weight of the evidence rather than eliminating all reasonable doubt, which is pertinent in criminal contexts. Therefore, to successfully prevail in a civil action, it is crucial for the plaintiff to establish their case based on the preponderance of the evidence standard.