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Evidence Admissibility
Evidence admissibility refers to whether a piece of evidence is qualified to be considered by a court in deciding a case. For evidence to be admissible, it generally must meet three key criteria:
- Relevance: The evidence must tend to prove or disprove a fact that is at issue in the case. It should have a direct bearing on the matter being decided.
- Materiality: The evidence must be significant and have a substantial impact on the outcome of the case.
- Competence (or reliability): The evidence must be legally obtained, valid, and reliable. This includes being free from issues like hearsay (unless an exception applies), and if expert testimony is involved, it must meet standards of scientific or professional reliability (e.g., as outlined in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals).
A judge acts as a gatekeeper to determine admissibility, applying rules such as the Federal Rules of Evidence in federal courts or corresponding state rules. Even if evidence is relevant, it can be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by risks such as unfair prejudice, confusion, or wasting time.
Once admitted, the jury or judge (the trier of fact) decides how much weight to give the evidence in reaching a verdict.
In summary, admissible evidence is any testimony, document, or tangible object that meets legal standards for relevance, materiality, and reliability, and is allowed by the court to be presented and considered in a trial.