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. Rules of evidence also improve efficiency of the court system, reducing the time required to try cases. Finally, some rules of evidence such as the attorney-client privilege and spousal testimonial privilege, are designed to affect out-of-court behavior.

• Materiality, Relevance, and Admissibility of Evidence
• Prejudice

Testimonial Evidence

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

Privilege

• Attorney-Client Privilege
• Doctor-Patient Privilege
• Priest-Penitent Privilege
• Marital Confidences and Spousal Testimonial Privileges

Expert and Forensic Evidence

• Demonstrative Evidence
• Hair
• DNA
• Fingerprints
• Ballistics

Identification Evidence

• Eyewitness Misidentification

Evidence Codes

• United States Federal Rules of Evidence