anderson liberty lobby argued december decided june new york times sullivan held libel suit brought public official extended later cases public figures first amendment requires plaintiff show publishing alleged defamatory statement defendant acted actual malice held actual malice must shown convincing clarity respondents nonprofit corporation described citizens lobby founder filed libel action federal district petitioners alleging certain statements magazine published petitioners false derogatory following discovery petitioners moved summary judgment pursuant federal rule civil procedure asserting respondents public figures required prove case new york times standards summary judgment proper actual malice absent matter law view affidavit author articles question thoroughly researched facts obtained numerous sources opposing motion respondents claimed issue actual malice presented author relied patently unreliable sources preparing articles holding new york times applied respondents public figures district entered summary judgment petitioners ground author investigation research reliance numerous sources precluded finding actual malice reversing certain allegedly defamatory statements appeals held requirement actual malice proved clear convincing evidence need considered summary judgment stage respect statements summary judgment improperly granted jury reasonably concluded allegations defamatory false made actual malice held appeals apply correct standard reviewing district grant summary judgment pp summary judgment lie dispute material fact genuine evidence reasonable jury return verdict nonmoving party summary judgment stage trial judge function weigh evidence determine truth matter determine whether genuine issue trial issue unless sufficient evidence favoring nonmoving party jury return verdict party essence inquiry whether evidence presents sufficient disagreement require submission jury whether one party must prevail matter law pp trial ruling motion summary judgment case must guided new york times clear convincing evidentiary standard determining whether genuine issue actual malice exists whether evidence reasonable jury might find actual malice shown convincing clarity pp plaintiff may defeat defendant properly supported motion summary judgment libel case one without offering concrete evidence reasonable jury return verdict favor merely asserting jury might disbelieve defendant denial actual malice movant burden showing genuine issue fact plaintiff thereby relieved burden producing turn evidence support jury verdict pp white delivered opinion marshall blackmun powell stevens joined brennan filed dissenting opinion post rehnquist filed dissenting opinion burger joined post david branson argued cause petitioners briefs david bickart mark lane argued cause respondents brief linda huber fleming lee briefs amici curiae urging reversal filed american newspaper publishers association et al robert sack robert warren terry maguire richard schmidt bruce rich lawrence gunnels harvey lipton peter gould jane kirtley reader digest association walter allan karen wegner briefs amici curiae urging affirmance filed american legal foundation daniel popeo synanon church et al jonathan lubell philip bourdette david benjamin andrew weill justice white delivered opinion new york times sullivan held libel suit brought public official first amendment requires plaintiff show publishing defamatory statement defendant acted actual malice knowledge false reckless disregard whether false held actual malice must shown convincing clarity see also gertz robert welch new york times requirements since extended libel suits brought public figures well see curtis publishing butts case presents question whether requirement must considered ruling motion summary judgment rule federal rules civil procedure case new york times applies appeals district columbia circuit held requirement need considered summary judgment stage app granted certiorari holding conflict decisions several courts appeals held new york times requirement clear convincing evidence must considered motion summary judgment reverse respondent liberty lobby corporation citizens lobby respondent willis carto founder treasurer october investigator magazine published two articles private world willis carto yockey profile american hitler articles introduced third shorter article entitled america underground mein kampf spawn yockey imperium book revived carto liberty lobby articles portrayed respondents racist fascist respondents filed diversity libel action district district columbia alleging statements illustrations articles false derogatory named defendants action petitioner jack anderson publisher investigator petitioner bill adkins president chief executive officer investigator publishing petitioner investigator publishing following discovery petitioners moved summary judgment pursuant rule motion petitioners asserted respondents public figures required prove case standards set forth new york times petitioners also asserted summary judgment proper actual malice absent matter law support latter assertion petitioners submitted affidavit charles bermant employee petitioners author two longer articles affidavit bermant stated spent substantial amount time researching writing articles facts obtained wide variety sources also stated times believed still believed facts contained articles truthful accurate attached affidavit appendix bermant detailed sources statements alleged respondents libelous respondents opposed motion summary judgment asserting numerous inaccuracies articles claiming issue actual malice presented virtue fact preparing articles bermant relied several sources respondents asserted patently unreliable generally respondents charged petitioners failed adequately verify information publishing respondents also presented evidence william mcgaw editor investigator told petitioner adkins publication articles terrible ridiculous ruling motion summary judgment district first held respondents public figures new york times therefore applied district held bermant thorough investigation research reliance numerous sources precluded finding actual malice thus district granted motion entered judgment favor petitioners appeal appeals affirmed reversed allegedly defamatory statements although noted respondents challenge district ruling public figures thus required prove case new york times appeals nevertheless held purposes summary judgment requirement actual malice proved clear convincing evidence rather preponderance evidence irrelevant defeat summary judgment respondents show jury find actual malice convincing clarity based conclusion perception impose greater evidentiary burden summary judgment change threshold summary judgment inquiry search minimum facts supporting plaintiff case evaluation weight facts seem weight least defendant uncontroverted facts well app held respect nine statements summary judgment improperly granted jury reasonably conclude allegations defamatory false made actual malice ii inquiry whether appeals erred holding heightened evidentiary requirements apply proof actual malice new york times case need considered purposes motion summary judgment rule federal rules civil procedure provides summary judgment shall rendered forthwith pleadings depositions answers interrogatories admissions file together affidavits show genuine issue material fact moving party entitled judgment matter law terms standard provides mere existence alleged factual dispute parties defeat otherwise properly supported motion summary judgment requirement genuine issue material fact materiality substantive law identify facts material disputes facts might affect outcome suit governing law properly preclude entry summary judgment factual disputes irrelevant unnecessary counted see generally wright miller kane federal practice procedure pp materiality inquiry independent separate question incorporation evidentiary standard summary judgment determination materiality determination rests substantive law substantive law identification facts critical facts irrelevant governs proof evidentiary requirements imposed substantive law germane inquiry since materiality criterion categorizing factual disputes relation legal elements claim criterion evaluating evidentiary underpinnings disputes important present purposes summary judgment lie dispute material fact genuine evidence reasonable jury return verdict nonmoving party first national bank arizona cities service affirmed grant summary judgment antitrust defendant issue whether genuine factual dispute existence conspiracy noted rule provision party opposing properly supported motion summary judgment may rest upon mere allegations denials pleading must set forth specific facts showing genuine issue trial observed true issue material fact required rule present entitle party proceed trial required resolved conclusively favor party asserting existence rather required sufficient evidence supporting claimed factual dispute shown require jury judge resolve parties differing versions truth trial adickes kress emphasized availability summary judgment turned whether proper jury question presented one issues whether conspiracy private persons law enforcement officers district granted summary judgment defendants stating evidence reasonably minded jurors might draw inference conspiracy reversed pointing moving parties submissions foreclosed possibility existence certain facts open jury infer circumstances meeting minds prior decisions may uniformly recited language describing genuine factual issues rule clear enough recent cases summary judgment stage judge function weigh evidence determine truth matter determine whether genuine issue trial adickes supra cities service supra indicate issue trial unless sufficient evidence favoring nonmoving party jury return verdict party cities service supra evidence merely colorable dombrowski eastland per curiam significantly probative cities service supra summary judgment may granted proper focus inquiry strongly suggested rule rule provides properly supported motion summary judgment made adverse party must set forth specific facts showing genuine issue trial noted rule provides trial judge shall grant summary judgment genuine issue material fact moving party entitled judgment matter law requirement trial judge make findings fact inquiry performed threshold inquiry determining whether need trial whether words genuine factual issues properly resolved finder fact may reasonably resolved favor either party petitioners suggest agree standard mirrors standard directed verdict federal rule civil procedure trial judge must direct verdict governing law one reasonable conclusion verdict brady southern reasonable minds differ import evidence however verdict directed wilkerson mccarthy long ago said improvement munson wall several times repeated judges longer required submit question jury merely evidence introduced party burden proof unless evidence character warrant jury finding verdict favor party formerly held called scintilla evidence support case judge bound leave jury recent decisions high authority established reasonable rule every case evidence left jury preliminary question judge whether literally evidence whether upon jury properly proceed find verdict party producing upon onus proof imposed footnotes omitted said summary judgment granted evidence require directed verdict moving party sartor arkansas gas noted genuine issue summary judgment standard close reasonable jury directed verdict standard primary difference two motions procedural summary judgment motions usually made trial decided documentary evidence directed verdict motions made trial decided evidence admitted bill johnson restaurants nlrb essence though inquiry whether evidence presents sufficient disagreement require submission jury whether one party must prevail matter law progressing specific issue case convinced inquiry involved ruling motion summary judgment directed verdict necessarily implicates substantive evidentiary standard proof apply trial merits defendant civil case moves summary judgment directed verdict based lack proof material fact judge must ask whether thinks evidence unmistakably favors one side whether jury return verdict plaintiff evidence presented mere existence scintilla evidence support plaintiff position insufficient must evidence jury reasonably find plaintiff judge inquiry therefore unavoidably asks whether reasonable jurors find preponderance evidence plaintiff entitled verdict whether evidence upon jury properly proceed find verdict party producing upon onus proof imposed munson supra terms nature inquiry different consideration motion acquittal criminal case standard applies trial judge asks whether reasonable jury find guilt beyond reasonable doubt see jackson virginia similarly first amendment mandates clear convincing standard trial judge disposing directed verdict motion consider whether reasonable factfinder conclude example plaintiff shown actual malice convincing clarity case proposition higher burden proof corresponding effect judge deciding whether send case jury well made appeals second circuit taylor overruled feinberg case holding standard evidence necessary judge send case jury civil criminal cases even though standard jury must apply criminal case demanding civil proceedings speaking judge friendly second circuit said seem first blush think also second facts evidence needed judge allow reasonable jurors pass claim proponent required establish claim merely preponderance evidence beyond reasonable doubt find satisfying explanation feinberg opinion judge place higher burden prosecution criminal proceedings sending case jury ibid taylor also pointed almost circuits adopted something like judge prettyman formulation curley true rule therefore trial judge passing upon motion directed verdict acquittal must determine whether upon evidence giving full play right jury determine credibility weigh evidence draw justifiable inferences fact reasonable mind might fairly conclude guilt beyond reasonable doubt concludes upon evidence must doubt reasonable mind must grant motion state another way evidence upon reasonable mind might fairly conclude guilt beyond reasonable doubt motion must granted concludes either two results reasonable doubt reasonable doubt fairly possible must let jury decide matter convincing clarity requirement relevant ruling motion directed verdict relevant ruling motion summary judgment determining genuine factual issue actual malice exists libel suit brought public figure trial judge must bear mind actual quantum quality proof necessary support liability new york times example genuine issue evidence presented opposing affidavits insufficient caliber quantity allow rational finder fact find actual malice clear convincing evidence thus ruling motion summary judgment judge must view evidence presented prism substantive evidentiary burden conclusion mandated nature determination question whether jury reasonably find either plaintiff proved case quality quantity evidence required governing law whether jury reasonably find either party however defined except criteria governing evidence enable jury find either plaintiff defendant makes sense say jury reasonably find either party without benchmark standards govern deliberations within boundaries ultimate decision must fall standards boundaries fact provided applicable evidentiary standards holding standard proof taken account ruling summary judgment motions denigrate role jury means authorizes trial affidavits credibility determinations weighing evidence drawing legitimate inferences facts jury functions judge whether ruling motion summary judgment directed verdict evidence nonmovant believed justifiable inferences drawn favor adickes neither suggest trial courts act caution granting summary judgment trial may deny summary judgment case reason believe better course proceed full trial kennedy silas mason sum conclude determination whether given factual dispute requires submission jury must guided substantive evidentiary standards apply case true directed verdict summary judgment stages consequently new york times clear convincing evidence requirement applies trial judge summary judgment inquiry whether genuine issue exists whether evidence presented jury applying evidentiary standard reasonably find either plaintiff defendant thus factual dispute concerns actual malice clearly material issue new york times case appropriate summary judgment question whether evidence record support reasonable jury finding either plaintiff shown actual malice clear convincing evidence plaintiff iii respondents argue however whatever may true applicability clear convincing standard summary judgment directed verdict stage defendant seldom ever granted summary judgment state mind issue jury might disbelieve witnesses issue rely poller columbia broadcasting proposition understand poller however hold plaintiff may defeat defendant properly supported motion summary judgment conspiracy libel case example without offering concrete evidence reasonable juror return verdict favor merely asserting jury might legally disbelieve defendant denial conspiracy legal malice movant burden showing genuine issue fact plaintiff thereby relieved burden producing turn evidence support jury verdict rule provides party opposing properly supported motion summary judgment may rest upon mere allegation denials pleading must set forth specific facts showing genuine issue trial based rule cities service held plaintiff defeat properly supported summary judgment motion defendant charged conspiracy without offering significant probative evidence tending support complaint recently said discredited testimony normally considered sufficient basis drawing contrary conclusion bose consumers union instead plaintiff must present affirmative evidence order defeat properly supported motion summary judgment true even evidence likely within possession defendant long plaintiff full opportunity conduct discovery repeat however plaintiff survive defendant motion need present evidence jury might return verdict favor genuine issue fact requires trial iv sum ruling motion summary judgment must guided new york times clear convincing evidentiary standard determining whether genuine issue actual malice exists whether evidence presented reasonable jury might find actual malice shown convincing clarity appeals apply correct standard reviewing district grant summary judgment vacate decision remand case proceedings consistent opinion ordered footnotes short introductory article written petitioner anderson relied exclusively information obtained bermant gertz robert welch summarized considered public figure new york times standards apply public figure designation may rest either two alternative bases instances individual may achieve pervasive fame notoriety becomes public figure purposes contexts commonly individual voluntarily injects drawn particular public controversy thereby becomes public figure limited range issues either case persons assume special prominence resolution public questions district found respondents political lobbyists second type political figure described gertz public figure see also waldbaum fairchild publications app cert denied analysis address question initial burden production evidence placed rule party moving summary judgment see celotex catrett post respondents raised issue purposes discussion assume moving party met initially requisite evidentiary burden requirement turn qualified rule provision summary judgment refused nonmoving party opportunity discover information essential opposition analysis assume parties ample opportunity discovery many cases however findings extremely helpful reviewing statement hutchinson proxmire proof actual malice readily lend summary disposition simply acknowledgment general reluctance grant special procedural protections defendants libel defamation actions addition constitutional protections embodied substantive laws calder jones justice brennan dissenting today holds whether given factual dispute requires submission jury must guided substantive evidentiary standards apply case ante view analysis deeply flawed rests shaky foundation unconnected unsupported observations assertions conclusions moreover unable divine opinion evidentiary standards considered trial judge actually supposed ruling motion summary judgment accordingly respectfully dissent support holding ruling motion summary judgment trial must consider substantive evidentiary burdens appropriately begins language rule summary judgment shall granted appears genuine issue material fact moving party entitled judgment matter law purports restate rule asserts summary judgment lie dispute material fact genuine evidence reasonable jury return verdict nonmoving party ante direct authority cited proposition order determine whether dispute genuine rule purposes judge must ask reasonable jury find nonmoving party instead quotes first national bank arizona cities service effect summary judgment motion defeated sufficient evidence supporting claimed factual dispute shown require jury judge resolve parties differing versions truth trial ante plaintiff may defending motion summary judgment rest mere allegations denials pleadings citing adickes kress unstartling proposition availability summary judgment turn whether proper jury question presented ante reasserts direct authority determining whether jury question presented inquiry whether factual issues properly resolved finder fact may reasonably resolved favor either party ante maintains summary judgment inquiry mirrors applies context motion directed verdict federal rule civil procedure whether evidence presents sufficient disagreement require submission jury whether one party must prevail matter law ante thus decided genuine dispute one one reasonably resolved jury favor either party concludes whether jury reasonably find either party however defined except criteria governing evidence enable jury find either plaintiff defendant makes sense say jury reasonably find either party without benchmark standards govern deliberations within boundaries ultimate decision must fall standards boundaries fact provided applicable evidentiary standards ante adickes also relied suggest way appropriate summary judgment inquiry whether evidence overwhelmingly supports one party adickes like cities service presented question whether grant summary judgment favor defendant conspiracy count appropriate plaintiff white schoolteacher maintained employees defendant kress conspired police deny rights protected fourteenth amendment refusing serve one lunchrooms simply white accompanied number black schoolchildren maintained among things kress arranged police arrested vagrancy left defendant premises support motion summary judgment kress submitted statements deposition one employees asserting communicated agreed police deny plaintiff service arrested explaining store taken challenged action race plaintiff fearful reaction customers served racially mixed group kress also submitted affidavits chief police arresting officers denying store manager requested petitioner arrested noted plaintiff deposition conceded knowledge communication police kress employee relying circumstantial evidence support allegations opposing defendant motion summary judgment plaintiff stated defendant moving papers failed dispute allegation complaint statement deposition unsworn statement kress employee effect policeman store time refusal serve policeman subsequently made arrest plaintiff argued sequence events created substantial enough possibility conspiracy allow proceed trial agreed therefore reversed lower courts reasoning kress carry burden failure foreclose possibility policeman kress store petitioner awaiting service policeman reached understanding kress employee petitioner served ibid despite fact none materials relied plaintiff met requirements rule stated nonetheless kress failed meet initial burden showing genuine dispute material fact specifically held kress failed negate plaintiff materials suggesting policeman fact store time refusal serve open jury infer circumstances policeman kress employee meeting minds thus reached understanding petitioner refused service adickes held jury might permissibly infer conspiracy mere presence policeman restaurant never reached consider whether evidence done clearly affirm rather reverse lower courts since case admissible evidence submitted petitioner significant amount evidence presented defendant tending rebut existence conspiracy question reach simply whether matter conspiracy law jury entitled matter law infer presence policeman restaurant making agreement policeman employee held jury entitled infer defendant carried initial burden production demonstrating evidence policeman lunchroom concluded summary judgment inappropriate accordingly surprising find case cited majority proposition issue trial unless sufficient evidence favoring nonmoving party jury return verdict party ante course admissible evidence adickes favoring nonmoving plaintiff unrebutted assertion kress employee policeman room time alleged constitutional violation like cities service adickes suggests defendant motion summary judgment trial must consider whether matter substantive law plaintiff cause action jury permitted draw inferences supporting plaintiff legal theory cities service found effect plaintiff failed make prima facie case adickes held moving defendant failed rebut plaintiff prima facie case neither case intimation trial inquire whether plaintiff evidence significantly probative opposed merely colorable either case suggestion nonmoving plaintiff made prima facie case based evidence satisfying rule showing defendant make prevail motion summary judgment yet appears hold relying part two cases explained explained also justice rehnquist dissent see post agree authority cited supports position view result product exercise akin child game telephone message repeated one person another another time message bears little resemblance originally spoken present case purports restate summary judgment test repetition original understanding increasingly distorted concern decision unsupported unsupported views may nonetheless supportable troubled fact opinion sends conflicting signals trial courts reviewing courts must deal summary judgment motions basis case trial responsibility considering motion summary judgment view instructing trial judge consider heightened evidentiary standards fails explain means words judge assess evidence fairminded jury reasonably decide provides conflicting clues mysteries fear lead increased confusion district appellate courts opinion replete boilerplate language effect trial courts weigh evidence deciding summary judgment motions clear enough recent cases summary judgment stage judge function weigh evidence determine truth matter ante holding denigrate role jury credibility determinations weighing evidence drawing legitimate inferences facts jury functions judge whether ruling motion summary judgment directed verdict evidence nonmovant believed justifiable inferences drawn favor ante determining genuine factual issue exists trial judge must bear mind actual quantum quality proof necessary support liability example genuine issue evidence presented opposing affidavits insufficient caliber quantity allow rational finder fact find actual malice clear convincing evidence ante emphasis added inquiry whether evidence presents sufficient disagreement require submission jury whether one party must prevail matter law ante emphasis added judge must ask whether fairminded jury return verdict plaintiff evidence presented mere existence scintilla evidence support plaintiff position insufficient must evidence jury reasonably find plaintiff ante fact today decision require district courts fearful new rule surely brand new procedure transform meant provide expedited summary procedure paper trial merits hard imagine responsible counsel aware judge assessing quantum evidence presenting risk either moving responding summary judgment motion without coming forth evidence muster support client case moreover judge motion summary judgment really weigh evidence view grave concerns raised concerning constitutional right civil litigants jury trial may well justice rehnquist suggests see post decision today little practical effect one imagine case judge might plausibly hold evidence motion summary judgment sufficient enable plaintiff bearing mere preponderance burden get jury prima facie case made insufficient plaintiff bearing burden withstand defendant summary judgment motion imagine suit breach contract example defendant moves summary judgment produces one purported eyewitness present time parties discussed possibility agreement unequivocally denies parties ever agreed enter contract plaintiff produces one purported eyewitness asserts parties fact come terms presumably case go jury defendant produced one eyewitnesses plaintiff stuck single witness case holding still go jury although plaintiff burden hypothetical contract action prove case mere preponderance evidence judge tells us ask whether jury return verdict plaintiff evidence presented ante hypothetical example sufficient disagreement require submission jury evidence one party must prevail matter law ante result change plaintiff one witness shown convicted perjurer result change instead contract claim plaintiff sued fraud theory thus requiring prove case clear convincing evidence seems decision today unpersuasively answers question presented raises host difficult troubling questions may well adequate solutions particularly unfair mess make least first instance deal district courts courts appeals must struggle clean us view plaintiff presents evidence either directly permissible inference inferences product substantive law underlying claim supports elements needs prove order prevail legal claim plaintiff made prima facie case defendant motion summary judgment must fail regardless burden proof plaintiff must meet words whether evidence clear convincing proves point mere preponderance factfinder determine read case law concern today decision may erode constitutionally enshrined role jury also undermine usefulness summary judgment procedure believe remain holding today course confined application first amendment cases although case arises context litigation involving libel press holding ruling motion summary judgment judge must view evidence presented prism substantive evidentiary burden ante accordingly simply understand justice rehnquist dissenting feels appropriate cite calder jones remind consistently refused extend special procedural protections defendants libel defamation suits today nothing kind changes summary judgment procedure litigants regardless substantive nature underlying litigation moreover holding limited cases evidentiary standard heightened plaintiff must prove case mere preponderance evidence presumably district ruling motion summary judgment libel case consider quantum quality proof necessary support liability new york times ante ask whether evidence presented sufficient caliber quantity support quantum quality must ask questions action plaintiff need prevail mere preponderance evidence words today decision terms applies summary judgment motions irrespective burden proof required subject matter suit writing dissent matsushita justice white stated agreed summary judgment test employed namely record taken whole lead rational trier fact find nonmoving party genuine issue trial whether shift announced today looking reasonable rather rational jury intended significance aspects matsushita dissent find difficult square holding present case matsushita dissenters argued summarizes monsanto service supra holding courts permit factfinders infer conspiracies inferences implausible ante language suggests judge hearing defendant motion summary judgment antitrust case go beyond traditional summary judgment inquiry decide whether weight evidence favors plaintiff cities service monsanto stand proposition cases simply held particular piece evidence standing alone insufficiently probative justify sending case jury holdings way undermine doctrine evidence must construed light favorable party opposing summary judgment intends give every judge hearing motion summary judgment antitrust case job determining evidence makes inference conspiracy probable overturning settled law intend pronouncement refrain using unnecessarily broad confusing language omitted view words applicable relevant opinion today opinion matsushita also baffled cases cited majority support holding example asserts evidence merely colorable dombrowski eastland per curiam summary judgment may granted ante dombrowski reversed judgment granting summary judgment counsel internal security subcommittee judiciary committee senate controverted evidence record affords merely colorable substance petitioners allegations dombrowski simply read mean summary judgment may granted evidence merely colorable case actually says summary judgment denied evidence controverted evidence controverted assertions become colorable purposes motions summary judgment law justice rehnquist chief justice joins dissenting apparently moved concerns intellectual tidiness mistakenly decides clear convincing evidence standard governing finders fact libel cases must applied trial courts deciding motion summary judgment case refers substantive standard think actually procedural requirement engrafted onto rule contrary statement calder jones already declined contexts grant special procedural protections defendants libel defamation actions addition constitutional protections embodied substantive laws large class cases higher standard imposed today seem effect suppose example motion summary judgment hypothetical libel case plaintiff concedes proof malice testimony witness witness testifies deposition reporter wrote story question told reporter done absolutely checking story real doubts whether correct plaintiff defendant examination witness brings prior conviction perjury may grant defendant motion summary judgment ground plaintiff failed produce sufficient proof malice surely means says credibility determinations jury functions judge whether ruling motion summary judgment directed verdict evidence nonmovant believed justifiable inferences drawn favor ante case proceeds trial close plaintiff evidence defendant moves directed verdict ground plaintiff failed produce sufficient evidence malice evidence malice produced plaintiff testimony witness duly impeached defendant prior perjury conviction addition trial judge opportunity observe demeanor witness noticed fidgets answering critical questions eyes shift floor ceiling manifests indicia traditionally attributed perjurers may trial stage grant directed verdict surely still dealing credibility determinations defendant puts testimony produces three witnesses present time witness alleges reporter said checked story grave doubts accuracy plaintiff witness concedes three people present meeting statement reporter took place presence witnesses witness categorically denies reporter made claimed statement witness may trial grant directed verdict close evidence certainly plaintiff case appreciably weakened testimony three disinterested witnesses one hope properly charged jury quickly return verdict defendant long credibility exclusively jury seems analysis still require case decided body thus case posed seem make difference whether standard proof plaintiff meet order prevail preponderance evidence clear convincing evidence proof beyond reasonable doubt application standards makes difference case hypothesize one may fairly ask sort case difference standards make difference outcome cases may posed dealing evidence essentially documentary rather testimonial held related context involving federal rule civil procedure inferences documentary evidence much prerogative finder fact inferences credibility witnesses anderson bessemer city affords lower courts guidance whatsoever difference abstract standards propounds make particular case may merit willing admit judge learned hand observation feinberg cert denied hile times may practicable distinguish evidence satisfy reasonable men evidence satisfy reasonable men beyond reasonable doubt long run line thin day day use apparently approves overruling feinberg case appeals judge friendly opinion taylor even entirely correct judgment point judge hand statement seems applicable case criminal case differs libel case standard former proof beyond reasonable doubt presumably easier distinguish normal preponderance evidence standard intermediate standard clear convincing evidence important purposes analyzing present case exact analog criminal process motion summary judgment civil case perhaps closest comparable device screening unmeritorious cases criminal area grand jury proceeding though comparison obviously fours standard allowing criminal case proceed trial whether government produced prima facie evidence guilt beyond reasonable doubt every element offense whether established probable cause see mechanik thus criminal case standard used prior trial much lenient clear beyond reasonable doubt standard must employed finder fact three differentiated burdens proof civil criminal cases vague impressionistic though necessarily probably make difference considered finder fact whether jury judge bench trial yet logical analytical message terms convey instead almost state mind previously said candor suggests degree efforts analyze lay jurors understand concerning differences among three tests may well largely academic exercise indeed ultimate truth standards proof affect decisionmaking may well unknowable given factfinding process shared countless thousands individuals throughout country probably assume difference preponderance evidence proof beyond reasonable doubt probably better understood either relation intermediate standard clear convincing evidence addington texas emphasis added