In the criminal justice system, evidence serves as the foundation on which a guilty or not guilty verdict is based. The defense and prosecution will both present their own evidence as well as analyze and criticize evidence presented to proof or disapprove innocence.
Types of Evidence in Criminal Proceedings
Evidence in criminal trials comes in various forms, each playing a unique role in piecing together the puzzle of a case:
- Physical evidence: Tangible objects such as weapons, DNA samples, or fingerprints that directly link a suspect to a crime.
- Testimonial evidence: Statements made by witnesses or experts under oath, providing firsthand accounts or professional opinions.
- Documentary evidence: Written records, photographs, or digital files that support the case.
Circumstantial evidence, while not directly proving guilt, can be equally powerful when pieced together. It creates a narrative that supports the prosecution or defense’s theory of the case. Your lawyer at Liberty Law will be able to assist in collecting the various types of evidence to help strengthen your defense.
See also: The Role of Criminal Lawyers in Ensuring Justice
Rules of Admissibility of Evidence
Not all evidence makes it to the courtroom floor. Strict legal standards govern what can be presented to a jury. Your attorney will make use of these legal standards in order to exclude evidence that may harm your case:
- Relevancy: Evidence must be directly related to the facts of the case.
- Materiality: It must have a logical connection to the issue at hand.
- Competence: The evidence must be reliable and collected through legal means.
Exclusion of Evidence
Evidence that is collected illegally will not be allowed in criminal proceedings. The exclusionary rule prohibits evidence collected through unlawful searches or by unlawful interrogation. The rules are used to ensure that the constitutional rights of individuals are respected.
Chain of Custody
Maintaining an unbroken chain of custody is paramount in preserving evidence integrity. Every transfer of evidence must be documented, from collection to presentation in court. The chain of custody or chain of evidence ensures that when evidence is presented in court, that it has not been tampered, or altered in any way.
How Is Evidence Presented?
The way evidence is presented can significantly impact its effectiveness:
- Visual aids, such as charts or crime scene reconstructions, can help jurors understand complex information.
- Expert witnesses will interpret complex or technical evidence through counsel. This is done so that the jury fully understands the evidence and the role it plays.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys must balance thoroughness with clarity, ensuring that the jury can follow the narrative without becoming overwhelmed.
The Impact of Evidence on Jury Decision-Making
Evidence is the lens through which jurors view a case. However, human factors can influence how this evidence is interpreted:
- Confirmation bias may lead jurors to favor evidence that supports their preexisting beliefs.
- The CSI effect can create unrealistic expectations about the availability and conclusiveness of forensic evidence.
An attorney will be aware of these psychological factors and will address them during jury selection and trial proceedings.
The Law Needs to Keep Up
From the moment a crime is reported to the final verdict, the proper handling, analysis, and presentation of evidence are crucial to ensuring fair trials. The evidence presented can have life changing consequences for the individuals that are on trial.
Technology makes it possible to collect new forms of evidence, such as more detailed DNA records. The law will need to keep with these advances as new forms of evidence makes it possible to hold individuals accountable for their actions but also serves a dual purpose of exonerating a falsely accused individual.
