In Utah, who has the burden of proof in a civil trial?

In a civil trial in Utah, the burden of proof generally falls on the plaintiff. This means that it is the responsibility of the plaintiff to present sufficient evidence to support their claims and demonstrate that it is more likely than not that their allegations are true. In legal terms, this is referred to as the "preponderance of the evidence" standard, which requires the plaintiff to show that their case is stronger than the defendant's case.

This principle is a fundamental aspect of civil procedure and aligns with the overarching notion that the party seeking to establish a claim or bring a lawsuit carries the initial burden to prove their allegations. In contrast, the defendant is not required to prove their innocence but may present defenses or counterclaims in response to the plaintiff’s allegations.

The roles of the jury and the judge differ from that of the parties involved in the case; the jury acts as the decider of facts based on the evidence presented, while the judge oversees the legal proceedings and ensures the trial adheres to the laws and procedures. Therefore, the plaintiff holding the burden of proof is consistent with the standards of civil litigation in Utah.