"beyond a reasonable doubt" is in the Constitution so its pretty hard to get around that. Any time a "liberty interest" (i.e. potential imprisonment) is at stake, it is the required standard of proof. As an aside, I have seen nothing in this trial that even approaches the standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt." It was a total waste of state resources and people's valuable time to try this case, and I believe FVV knew that from the outset, but rampant political correctness and political maneuvering dictatde the present course of action.