Evidence

Background

Rules of evidence are created to assist in the search for truth and promote a fair process for both parties. Rules of evidence are the most important in common law criminal justice systems which retain the jury system, since it is thought that these rules safeguard against jury's giving inappropriate weight to certain types of evidence.

Certain rules of evidence also provide a deterrent effect against prosecutorial or police misconduct.

• Materiality, Relevance, and Admissibility of Evidence
• Prejudice

Testimonial Evidence

• Competency
• Confessions
• Similar Facts Evidence
• Expert Witnesses
• Hearsay

Privilege

• Attorney-Client Privilege
• Doctor-Patient Privilege
• Priest-Penitent Privilege

Expert and Forensic Evidence

• Demonstrative Evidence
• Hair
• DNA
• Fingerprints
• Ballistics

Identification Evidence

• Eyewitness Misidentification

Evidence Codes

• United States Federal Rules of Evidence