Standard of Proof

Standard of Proof

There are essentially three standards of proof applicable in most court proceedings. In criminal cases, the offense must be proven “beyond a reasonable doubt,” the highest standard. In civil cases and neglect and dependency proceedings, the lowest standard applies by a mere “preponderance of the evidence”(more likely than not). In some civil cases, and in juvenile proceedings such as a permanent termination of parental rights, an intermediate standard applies, proof by “clear and convincinv evidence”