Legal tests are specific criteria or standards used by courts to evaluate evidence, determine liability, or assess the validity of claims. These tests help ensure consistency and fairness in legal proceedings by providing a structured approach to decision-making. Examples include the reasonable person standard in negligence cases and the Balancing Test for weighing competing interests. Different areas of law may employ various legal tests tailored to their unique requirements. For instance, in criminal law, the beyond a reasonable doubt standard is used to establish guilt, while in civil cases, the preponderance of evidence standard is applied to determine liability.