Question

Why do you think the threshold of guilt (beyond Reasonable Doubt vs. preponderance of evidence) is different for criminal and civil cases?

Answer 1

Answer: They are different for criminal and civil cases because the legal standard for deciding the criminal outcome follows a different method.

In beyond reasonable doubt, the standard for deciding a criminal charge requires evidence that is sufficient to eliminate any doubts a reasonable person might entertain about whether a claim is more likely to be true than not.

In preponderance of evidence the legal standard for deciding the outcome of civil disputes, requires the evidence to be sufficient that a claim is more likely to be true than not.

They are different because a criminal case is an offense against the state or community but the civil case is a case against member(s) of a community or between individuals.