"Today, class, we are going to review standards of proof. Who can tell me one?"
"Ooh! Ooh! Preponderance of evidence!"
"Very good. And that pertains to ... ?"
"Standard of proof in civil cases!"
"Excellent. And for criminal cases ...?"
"Beyond a reasonable doubt!"
"Yes, that's the highest standard. But in between ...?"
"Clear and convincing evidence! For some civil cases, like fraud,
and for some aspects of criminal cases, such as competency to stand
trial!"
"Yes, very good. Is there another standard?"
"Um, no. That pretty much covers it, doesn't it?"
"Ah, you are forgetting the most important standard of proof!"
"And what's that, Professor?"
"It's 'A lot of people are saying!' This is the gold standard for
political cases. It covers character assassination, obfuscation
of the law, and any lie you'd like to propagate."
"But Professor, is that a legitimate standard of evidence?"