What does "Preponderance" mean in a legal context?

In a legal context, "preponderance" refers to the concept of the greater weight of evidence that is convincing. This standard is often used in civil cases, where the party that has the burden of proof must show that its claims are more likely true than not. Essentially, this means that the evidence presented must tip the scale in favor of one side, demonstrating that it is more convincing than the evidence presented by the opposing side.

This standard stands in contrast to the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard used in criminal trials, which is a much higher burden of proof. Therefore, the notion of preponderance signifies that one side does not need to prove their case beyond every possible doubt, but rather simply demonstrate that their case is more persuasive compared to that of the other side. This distinction is crucial for understanding the different levels of evidence required in various types of legal proceedings.