legal-terms prima-facie
Is &quot;prima facie case&quot; only used in the context of criminal law?
<p>Is "prima facie case" only used in the context of criminal law? Or can it be used in administrative and/or civil law?</p>

<p>The concept of prima facie is common also in civil proceedings (and, impliedly, administrative ones).</p>

<p>See the results from <a href="http://www.leagle.com/leaglesearch?all=defamation&amp;exact=prima%20facie" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this query</a>, most of which are civil cases. For instance, <a href="https://www.leagle.com/decision/intxco20191105369" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this memorandum opinion</a> begins by acknowledging that the plaintiff-appellees "<em>have met their burden of establishing a prima facie case for defamation</em>".</p>

<p>In theory, the purpose of prima facie elements is to establish "high-level" uniformity as to what items a plaintiff or prosecutor, as the case may be, will need to prove in order to prevail in a case. That uniformity is necessary for --and consistent with-- the so-called "equal protection of the laws". From a standpoint of equal protection, there is no reason  why a case being criminal vs. civil should make a difference regarding the applicability of the concept of <em>prima facie</em> elements.</p>
