Burden of Proof or Risk of Non-Persuasion
the duty of a party to present evidence on the facts in issue necessary to establish his claim or defense by the amount of evidence required by law.
Proof
the establishment of a requisite degree of belief in the mind of the trier of fact as to the fact in issue.
Two separate burdens in burden of proof:
1. Burden of going forward – that of producing evidence
2. Burden of persuasion – the burden of persuading the trier of fact that the burdened party is entitled to prevail.
Upon Whom Burden Of Proof Rests
A. Civil Cases
1. the plaintiff has the burden of proof to show the truth of his allegations if the defendant raises a negative defense.
2. The defendant has the burden of proof if he raises an affirmative defense on the complaint of the plaintiff.
Note: In a civil case, the plaintiff is always compelled to allege affirmative assertions in his complaint. When he alleges a cause of action, he will be forced to allege that he has a right and that such right was violated by the other party. Thus he has the duty to prove the existence of this affirmative allegation.
When the defendant files his answer and sets up purely a negative defense and no evidence is presented by both sides, it is the defendant who would win the case since the plaintiff has not presented the quantum evidence required by law. On the other hand, when the defendant in his answer sets up an affirmative defense, if there is no evidence presented by both sides, it is the defendant who will lose the case.
B. Criminal Cases
The burden of proof is on the prosecution by reason of presumption of innocence.
The burden of proof as to the guilt of the accused must be borne by the prosecution. It is required that courts determine first if the evidence of the prosecution has at least shown a prima facie case before considering the evidence of the defense. If the prosecution does not have a prima facie case, it is futile to waste time in considering the evidence presented by the defense. Should the prosecution succeed in establishing a prima facie case against the accused, the burden is shifted upon the accused to prove otherwise.
Under the Speedy Trial Act, if the accused was not brought to trial within the time required, the information shall be dismissed on the motion of the accused. In this case, THE BURDEN OF PROOF of supporting such motion is with the accused (Section 13, Republic Act 8493).
Degree Of Proof That Satisfies The Burden Of Proof
A. Civil Cases
Preponderance of evidence
B. Criminal Cases
To sustain conviction – Evidence of guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Preliminary investigation
Engenders a well-founded belief of the fact of the commission of a crime.
Issuance of warrant of arrest
Probable cause, i.e. that there is reasonable ground to believe that the accused that committed an offense.
C. Administrative Cases
Substantial evidence
Hierarchy Of Evidence
1. proof beyond reasonable doubt
2. clear and convincing evidence
3. preponderance of evidence
4. substantial evidence
Burden Of Evidence
logical necessity on a party during a particular time of the trail to create a prima facie case in his favor or to destroy that created against him by presenting evidence.
In both civil and criminal cases, the burden of evidence lies on the party who asserts an affirmative allegation.
Distinctions Between Burden Of Proof and Burden Of Evidence
1. Burden of Proof
Does not shift and remains throughout the entire case exactly where the original pleadings placed it.
Burden of Evidence
Shifts from party to party depending upon the exigencies of the case
in the course of the trial.
2, Burden of Proof
Generally determined by the pleadings filed by the party.
Burden of Evidence
Generally determined by the developments of the trial, or by the
provisions of substantive law or procedural rules which may relieve
the party from presenting evidence on the facts alleged.
Upon Whom Burden Of Evidence Rests
A. Civil Cases:
The plaintiff is to prove his affirmative allegations in his counter
claim and his affirmative defenses.
B. Criminal Cases:
The PROSECUTION has to prove its affirmative allegations in the information regarding the elements of the crime as well as the attendant circumstances while the defense has to prove its affirmative allegations regarding the existence of justifying or exempting circumstances, absolutory causes or mitigating circumstances.
Principle Of Negative Averments
General Rule
Negative allegations need not be proved, whether in a civil or criminal action.
Exception
When such negative allegations are essential parts of the cause of action or defense in a civil case, or are essential ingredients of the offense in a criminal case or defenses thereto.
However, in Civil Cases, even if the negative allegation is an essential part of the cause of action or defense, such negative allegation does not have to be proved if it is only for the purpose of denying the existence of a document which should properly be in the custody of the adverse party.
In a Criminal Case, the rule if the subject of a negative averment inheres in the offense as an essential ingredient thereof, the prosecution has the burden of proving the same. In view however, of
the difficult office of proving a negative allegation, the prosecution, under such circumstance, need to do no more than make a prima facie case from the best evidence obtainable.(People v. Cabral,68 Phil.564)
Presumption
An inference as to the existence or non-existence of a fact which courts are permitted to draw from the proof of other facts.
A presumption shifts the burden of going forward with the evidence. It imposes on the party against whom it is directed the burden of going forward with evidence to meet or rebut the presumption.
Classification of Presumptions
1. Presumption Juris or of Law
is a deduction which the law expressly directs to be made from particular facts.
2. Presumtion Hominis or of Fact
is a deduction which reason draws from facts proved without an express direction from the law to that effect.
Presumptions of Law Distinguished From Presumptions of Fact
1. Presumptions of Law
Certain inference must be made whenever the facts appear which furnish the basis of the inference.
Presumptions of Fact
Discretion is vested in the tribunal as to drawing the inference.
2. Presumptions of Law
Reduced to fixed rules and form a part of the system of jurisprudence.
Presumptions of Fact
Derived wholly and directly from the circumstances of the
particular case by means of the common experience of mankind.
Presumption Juris Maybe Divided Into
1. Conclusive Presumption
(juris et de jure) – which is a presumption of law that is not permitted to be overcome by any proof to the contrary
2. Disputable Presumption
(juris tantum) - is that which the law permits to be overcome or contradicted by proofs to the contrary; otherwise the same remains satisfactory.
Bar Exam 2004
Distinguish Burden of proof and burden of evidence.
Suggested Answer:
