evidential standards

Evidential standards refer to the required level of proof needed to support a claim or assertion. They determine how much or what quality of evidence is necessary to confidently accept something as true. Different situations demand different standards—for example, criminal cases require proof "beyond a reasonable doubt," a very high standard, while civil cases often require a "preponderance of evidence," meaning it’s more likely than not. These standards help ensure decisions are based on sufficient and appropriate evidence, balancing fairness, accuracy, and the importance of the issue at hand.