tõendusstandard

A tõendusstandard, or evidentiary standard, refers to the level of proof required to convince a fact-finder, such as a judge or jury, of the truth of a proposition. Different legal systems and different types of legal proceedings employ various evidentiary standards. The specific standard can significantly impact the outcome of a case, as it dictates how much certainty is needed before a claim can be considered established.

In civil litigation, a common evidentiary standard is the "preponderance of the evidence." This requires a party to show that their claim is more likely true than not, meaning the evidence supporting their case has at least a 50.1% probability of being true. This is a lower standard than that used in criminal cases.

The highest evidentiary standard is "beyond a reasonable doubt," predominantly used in criminal proceedings. This standard demands that the prosecution present evidence so convincing that there is no other logical explanation, based on the facts presented, than that the defendant committed the crime. Any lingering reasonable doubt about the defendant's guilt necessitates an acquittal.

Intermediate evidentiary standards also exist, such as "clear and convincing evidence." This standard, often used in certain civil cases like fraud or termination of parental rights, falls between preponderance of the evidence and beyond a reasonable doubt. It requires a higher degree of certainty than the former, but less than the latter. The choice of tõendusstandard is fundamental to the fairness and integrity of the legal process.