What does "burden of proof" refer to in legal contexts?

The term "burden of proof" in legal contexts specifically refers to the responsibility to present evidence to support a claim. This principle is fundamental in legal proceedings, as it determines which party is responsible for proving the facts in dispute. In most legal systems, the burden lies with the party making a claim or allegation, typically the plaintiff in civil cases or the prosecution in criminal cases. The burden can also involve not only producing evidence but also the obligation to convince the judge or jury of the validity of that evidence in order to prevail in the case.

In contrast, the concept encapsulated by the other options isn’t aligned with the accepted definition of "burden of proof." For instance, the idea of proving one's innocence pertains more to the presumption of innocence in criminal law, which states that defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty, rather than the burden of proof itself. Additionally, while court costs and the submission of legal documents are important aspects of legal processes, they do not relate to the evidentiary responsibilities involved in proving claims.