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proof
Proof is the evidence used to establish that an event occurred or that a statement is true. Proof required in both criminal and civil trials, with different standards applied depending on the type of case.
In criminal law, each element of a charged offense must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Without sufficient proof, a defendant cannot be convicted. The burden of proof rests on the prosecution, which must provide evidence of the defendant’s guilt.
In civil law, proof is generally required by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning it must be more likely than not that the claim is true. The burden of proof ordinarily falls on the plaintiff, though in certain circumstances it may shift to the defendant.
[Last reviewed in August of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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