burden of proof

Burden of proof is a fallacy where a claimant asserts that he does not have to prove his claim, but that his opponent has to disprove it.

Often, a debate will grind to a halt because both claimants will assert that they don't have to prove anything, but that their opponent has to disprove each other's case. The debate will then gravitate away from the facts and degenerate into an argument about who has the burden of proof.

examples

You can't prove that there are no invisible unicorns, so it is reasonable for me to continue to assert that they exist.

Sure, there is no evidence that the defendant committed the crime, but we will execute him if he can't prove that he is not guilty.

Nobody has been able to prove that psychic powers are impossible, so I am sensible to assert that I have psychic powers, even though evidence in my favour is also lacking.