On average, do Plaintiffs or Defendents win more cases?

Answer 1

Civil or criminal? I'd say 50/50 civil, 80-20 prosecuters in criminal. They don't prosecute unless the evidence is rock hard (pun) in criminal.

Answer 2

There is no answer. What is a win? If a guy sues another guy for a broken arm in an auto accident, what is a victory? What if the Plaintiff wins $10? $100? Where is the cutoff? So impossible question. Maybe criminal law is different, either guilty or not.

Answer 3

Interesting question. Plaintiffs have the burden of proof so it's harder for them to win cases. From what I've heard, many cases are settled out of court or dropped. Often people in a moment of anger resort to the legal system to settle their disputes without taking the time to assess the matter they're seeking redress on in the courts, and without stopping to consider if they have enough evidence, money for legal fees, etc., to pursue their cases successfully. Now if you're in a community where the defendant is unpopular, and you have the "buddy system" ( a bigger factor in our legal system than many care to admit), working for you, then as a plaintiff you'll have more of an advantage.

Answer 4

I assume you are only asking about civil cases. Criminal cases are really random because of plea bargaining, desperate criminals, etc.

In a civil case, the theoritical win ratio is 50/50. This is because you have to assume that both sides are rational. Both sides also have access to the same evidence and law. Therefore, they should both arrive at the same conclusion regarding the likely outcome of the trial. If one side is significantly more likely to win, the other side will settle out of court. Therefore, the only cases that actually go to trial should be very close cases that should split 50/50.

In real life, it is impossible to know what the actual ratio is. Also, as someone pointed out, it is really difficult to define what a "win" is in court. Often times, both sides feel they have won (or lost) a case.

Answer 5

This is the fact here.
Our states attorney was up for re-election and was bragging on his record of convictions.He had 492 convictions out of 494 cases.It was so impressive I decided to look it up and see what 2 he lost.
As Paul Harvey would say the rest of the story: He got 492 convictions on plea bargains ,both who plead not guilty won .
His real record was 0-2.

Answer 6

50/50

Answer 7

Defendents win more because it is harder to prove guilt then it is to deny every thing.

Answer 8

depending on the case. I would say PLantiffs, but who knows

Answer 9

yes