These are the search results based on your query.
Admissibility Of Evidence
Admissibility of Evidence
Admissibility of evidence refers to the process by which a court determines whether a piece of evidence can be considered in a legal proceeding. For evidence to be admissible, it must meet certain criteria:
Criteria for Admissibility
-
Relevance: The evidence must relate directly to the case, helping to prove or disprove a fact at issue. It should increase or decrease the likelihood of a disputed fact.
-
Materiality: The evidence must be significant and have a substantial bearing on the case's outcome, affecting the determination of facts.
-
Competence: The evidence must be legally obtained and presented in a valid and reliable manner. This includes ensuring that documentary evidence is authentic and that there is a clear chain of custody.
-
Reliability: The source of the evidence must be reliable. For witness testimony, the witness's credibility and knowledge must be established. For documentary evidence, authenticity and chain of custody are crucial.
Rules of Evidence
-
Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE): In federal courts, the FRE governs the admissibility of evidence. Key rules include Rule 402 (relevant evidence is admissible unless otherwise excluded), Rule 403 (excludes evidence if its probative value is substantially outweighed by prejudice), and Rule 802 (excludes hearsay with exceptions).
-
State Rules of Evidence: Each state has its own rules, which often closely follow the FRE.
Decision on Admissibility
The decision on whether evidence is admissible is typically made by the trial judge, who acts as a gatekeeper to ensure that only reliable and relevant evidence is presented to the jury or judge (in a bench trial).