| Standard of proof is the core and soul of the evidence system. Studying standard of proof and solving its problems are the key to improve and perfect the evidence system. Western countries have established two criteria, i.e., “preponderance of the evidence” and “beyond reasonable doubt”, both of which are built on the basis of probability. However, probability can not constitute the standard of proof, as probability is merely a kind of possibility, and the case cannot be solved solely on possibility. Therefore, these two criteria are not tenable. Standard of proof is the template of truth. History witnessed different templates of truth, including the truth revealed by deity, the truth ascertained within law and the truth found by free evaluation. All of those are not what they mean to be. Truth revealed by deity is somewhat a superstition, which tells no difference between truth and falsity. Truth ascertained within law is kind of mechanical truth. This mechanical nature always covers up the real truth or takes falsity as true. Truth found by free evaluation is essentially the subjective truth. Subjective truth is valuable, but it is just the faith in judge’s mind with no external sign and cannot be examined, tested and supervised. Its lethal weakness determines that it is unfit for the standard of proof. Besides the above three, scholars also advocate the objective truth. Objective truth is indeed the utmost of the truth, and is very hard to achieve fully in the judicial practice. Thus again, it can not constitute the standard of proof. Truth itself has two levels, that is, the existence level and reflection level. On the level of existence are two kinds of truth, i.e., objective truth and substantial truth. Only substantial truth can constitute the standard of proof and it is the higher standard of judicial proof. On the level of reflection are subjective truth and formal truth. Only formal truth can constitute the standard of proof and it is the lower standard of judicial proof. Substantial truth refers to the nature truth of the fact as well as the truth sought through it. Formal truth refers to the truth purely reflecting formality as well as the truth sought through it. Besides them, judicial proof includes one remedy method, i.e., presumption. Presumption is not a standard of proof. Thus there are only two aforementioned criteria of judicial proof. |
京公网安备11010102006664号 京ICP备2023015853号