In what type of legal case is 'preponderance of the evidence' used?

The standard of "preponderance of the evidence" is typically used in civil cases. This standard requires that one party's evidence must outweigh the other's, meaning that it is more likely than not that the claims being made are true. This is a lower burden of proof compared to criminal cases, where the standard is "beyond a reasonable doubt." In civil cases, the focus is often on resolving disputes between individuals or entities regarding rights and obligations, rather than prosecuting wrongdoing, which is the emphasis in criminal law.

In contrast, criminal cases involve a higher standard due to the potential consequences of a conviction, hence requiring proof beyond a reasonable doubt. This ensures that an individual is not wrongfully punished. Cases regarding federal laws or appellate court reviews involve specific rules and standards depending on their nature, but neither directly pertains to the "preponderance of the evidence" standard, which is central to civil cases.