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Definition: Evidence from The SAGE Glossary of the Social and Behavioral Sciences

Anything used to determine the truth of an assertion. In a criminal case, evidence is material used to determine guilt or innocence. Although various types of direct, physical, testimonial, and circumstantial evidence are usually admissible in criminal cases, there are notable exceptions. Hearsay evidence is generally inadmissible, and physical evidence can be suppressed (i.e., excluded from consideration) if it is gathered in violation of a defendant's constitutional rights. A defense attorney seeking to have evidence suppressed will request a Mapp hearing, asking the judge to apply the exclusionary rule.

See also

Circumstantial Evidence, Exclusionary Rule (political science, sociology), Testimony


evidence

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
in law, material submitted to a judge or a judicial body to resolve disputed questions of fact. The rules discussed in this article were developed in England for use in jury trials. Today, they are generally observed in all countries having the common law , although they have been extensively modified by statute in some jurisdictions. The first juries were not neutral triers of fact; rather they were convened because of their immediate knowledge of the dispute before the court. Later, the practice developed of having witnesses testify before an impartial jury. The groundwork of the rules of evidence was laid between 1500 and 1700. In criminal trials, the prosecution has to prove each element necessary to its case beyond a reasonable doubt. In civil trials, on the other hand, a party has the burden only of proving affirmative contentions by a preponderance of the evidence. Thus the plaintiff must offer some proof of each of the elements that combine to constitute the defendant's alleged…
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Full text Article Evidence

From World of Criminal Justice, Gale
Evidence is anything that is offered to a court to demonstrate the truth of facts that are in dispute in a case. Evidence can be presented through the testimony of witnesses and though documents, exhibits and other physical objects. However, not every piece of evidence will be admitted for…
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Full text Article EVIDENCE

From Dictionary of Policing
Police investigations gather evidence for use in court. Various legal rules, however, restrict the sort of evidence that is admissible. These rules of evidence are designed to regulate the reliability of evidence and the fairness of trials. At a general level, police investigations are about…
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Full text Article Evidence

From Philosophy of Science A-Z
Narrowly understood, any kind of observation, observational report, experiential input, empirical information, or datum that can be used to support or discredit a hypothesis or theory. Broadly understood, whatever information or reason can be adduced in favour of or against the justification of a…
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The law of evidence governs how parties, judges, and juries offer and then evaluate the various forms of proof at trial. In some ways, evidence is an extension of civil and criminal procedure . Generally, evidence law establishes a group of limitations that courts enforce against attorneys in an…
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Full text Article Evidence

From Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
In legal terms evidence, meaning testimony in proof or disproof of something, has a wide variety of classifications, as follows: Circumstantial evidence: that based on relevant fact and circumstances to the fact in issue Conclusive evidence: that which establishes proof beyond doubt Derivative…
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Full text Article evidence

From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
In law, something (e.g., testimony, documents, or physical objects) presented at a judicial or administrative proceeding for the purpose of establishing the truth or falsity of an allegation of fact. To preserve legal due process and to prevent the jury from being misled, an extensive body of rules…
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Full text Article evidence

From The American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language
a. A thing or set of things helpful in forming a conclusion or judgment: The broken window was evidence that a burglary had taken place. Scientists weighed the evidence for and against the hypothesis. b. Something indicative; an indication or set of indications: saw no evidence of grief on the…
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Full text Article evidence

From The Macquarie Dictionary
ground for belief; that which tends to prove or disprove something; proof. Plural: evidences something that makes evident; an indication or sign. Plural: evidences Law the data, in the form of testimony of witnesses, or of documents or other objects (such as a photograph, a revolver, etc.) …
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Full text Article evidence

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
in law, material submitted to a judge or a judicial body to resolve disputed questions of fact. The rules discussed in this article were developed in England for use in jury trials. Today, they are generally observed in all countries having the common law , although they have been extensively…
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Full text Article EVIDENCE

From Gaither's Dictionary of Scientific Quotations
Australian philologist Almost every statement in prehistory should be qualified by the phrase: ‘On the evidence available today the balance of probability favors the view that’. Man Makes Himself Preface (p. 5 ) Lo 1936. Swiss psychologist and psychiatrist I see no sense in publishing a condensation…
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