What does the "burden of proof" require?

The concept of "burden of proof" fundamentally refers to the obligation placed on a party in a legal dispute to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims or defenses. In most legal systems, this burden typically rests on the party that initiates the action, such as the prosecution in a criminal case or the plaintiff in a civil case.

When a party has the burden of proof, they must present evidence that meets the required standard to convince the judge or jury of their claims. This standard can vary depending on the type of case. For example, in criminal cases, the burden of proof is "beyond a reasonable doubt," which is a high standard because it relates to the potential loss of personal freedom. In civil cases, the standard is usually "preponderance of the evidence," which is lower and requires that the evidence shows that a claim is more likely true than not.

Thus, the obligation to prove claims brought forth in court is a key tenet of the legal system, ensuring that decisions are based on substantial evidence rather than mere assertions. This requirement helps maintain the integrity of the judicial process and protects against wrongful convictions or judgments based on insufficient proof.