Title: Evidence (law) - Wikipedia
Headings: Evidence (law)
Evidence (law)
Contents
History
Relevance and social policy
Presence or absence of a jury
Exclusion of evidence
Unfairness
Authentication
Witnesses
Hearsay
Direct vs. circumstantial evidence
Burdens of proof
Evidentiary rules stemming from other areas of law
Evidence as an area of study
Tampering, falsification, and spoliation
By jurisdiction
See also
References
External links

Content: There are several types of evidence, depending on the form or source. Evidence governs the use of testimony (e.g., oral or written statements, such as an affidavit ), exhibits (e.g., physical objects), documentary material, or demonstrative evidence, which are admissible (i.e., allowed to be considered by the trier of fact, such as jury) in a judicial or administrative proceeding (e.g., a court of law). When a dispute, whether relating to a civil or criminal matter, reaches the court there will always be a number of issues which one party will have to prove in order to persuade the court to find in his or her favour. The law must ensure certain guidelines are set out in order to ensure that evidence presented to the court can be regarded as trustworthy. Contents
1 History
2 Relevance and social policy
3 Presence or absence of a jury
4 Exclusion of evidence
4.1 Unfairness
5 Authentication
6 Witnesses
7 Hearsay
8 Direct vs. circumstantial evidence
9 Burdens of proof
10 Evidentiary rules stemming from other areas of law
11 Evidence as an area of study
12 Tampering, falsification, and spoliation
13 By jurisdiction
14 See also
15 References
16 External links
History
The rules of evidence were developed over several centuries and are based upon the rules from Anglo-American common law brought to the New World by early settlers. The purpose is to be fair to both parties, disallowing the raising of allegations without a basis in provable fact. They are sometimes criticized as a legal technicality, but are an important part of the system for achieving a just result. Perhaps the most important of the rules of evidence is that, in general, hearsay testimony is inadmissible (although there are many exceptions to this rule). In England and Wales, the Civil Evidence Act 1995, section 1, specifically allows for admission of 'hearsay' evidence; legislation also allows for 'hearsay' evidence to be used in criminal proceedings, which makes it possible for the accuser to induce friends or family to give false evidence in support of their accusations because, normally, it would be rejected by the presiding authority or judge.