Final answer:
At a shelter hearing, the standard of proof required is Preponderance of the Evidence, which is a lower standard than Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, used in criminal cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The standard of proof needed at the shelter hearing is Preponderance of the Evidence. This means that the evidence presented must weigh more favorably on the side of the party with the burden of proof, which is typically lower than the Criminal Case standard of Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. In civil cases, like shelter hearings, the goal is to show that it is more likely than not that the claim being made is true, as opposed to the stringent proof requirements in a criminal trial where life or liberty could be at stake. In a shelter hearing, the standard of proof needed is Probable Cause. A shelter hearing is a legal proceeding held to determine whether a child should be removed from their home and placed in protective custody.