What does the term 'preponderance' refer to in a legal context?

In a legal context, the term 'preponderance' specifically means that something is more likely than not to be true. This standard is primarily employed in civil cases to determine the burden of proof. It indicates that the evidence on one side of the argument outweighs the evidence on the other side, leading to the conclusion that there is greater than a 50% chance of a particular assertion being true. This contrasts with the standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt," which is used in criminal cases and requires a much higher level of certainty.

Options that suggest equal weight of evidence or a strong defense do not accurately reflect the meaning of 'preponderance.' The term does not imply a balanced or equal presentation of evidence; rather, it highlights the necessity for one side's evidence to be more convincing overall. Thus, in civil litigation, establishing a preponderance of evidence is crucial for achieving a favorable outcome.