Huggins v. Rahfeldt

Defendant appeals an adverse judgment in a paternity action. The sole issue on appeal concerns the degree of proof necessary to prevail in such an action. The trial court held that proof by a preponderance of the evidence was the proper standard and that plaintiff had met that standard. Defendant appeals of right, contending that the correct standard of proof in a paternity action is proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

An early Supreme Court case, Semon v People, 42 Mich 141; NW 304 (1879), squarely held that the degree of proof necessary to prevail in a paternity action is proof by a…