Evidence is a critical component of any legal case. It is used to prove or disprove facts in a case, and the evidence presented can be the deciding factor in a court’s decision. However, not all evidence is admissible in court. Inadmissible evidence is evidence that lawyers can’t present to a jury.
Inadmissible evidence is evidence that a judge or jury may not consider when deciding a case. This evidence is not allowed to be presented in court because it is deemed unreliable or prejudicial. Forms of evidence judges consider inadmissible include hearsay, prejudicial, improperly obtained or irrelevant items.
Hearsay is a statement made by someone other than the witness who is testifying. It is not allowed in court because it is not considered reliable. Hearsay can be anything from a conversation to a written document. For example, if a witness testifies that they heard someone else say that the defendant committed a crime, this would be considered hearsay and would not be allowed in court.
Prejudicial evidence is evidence that is not related to the case and may influence the jury’s decision. This type of evidence is not allowed in court because it could unfairly influence the jury’s decision. For example, if a witness testifies that the defendant has a criminal record, this would be considered prejudicial evidence and would not be allowed in court.
Improperly obtained evidence is evidence that was obtained in a way that violates the law. This type of evidence is not allowed in court because it could be seen as an invasion of privacy or an abuse of power. For example, if a police officer illegally searches a suspect’s home and finds evidence of a crime, this evidence would not be allowed in court.
Finally, irrelevant evidence is evidence that is not related to the case and does not help prove or disprove any facts. This type of evidence is not allowed in court because it could be seen as a waste of time. For example, if a witness testifies about a conversation they had with the defendant that has nothing to do with the case, this would be considered irrelevant evidence and would not be allowed in court.
In addition to these forms of evidence, judges also consider other forms of evidence to be inadmissible. For example, investigators use polygraph tests to determine whether a person is lying about the events of a case. However, polygraph results are not allowed in court because they are not considered reliable.
In conclusion, inadmissible evidence is evidence that a judge or jury may not consider when deciding a case. Forms of evidence judges consider inadmissible include hearsay, prejudicial, improperly obtained or irrelevant items. It is important to understand what evidence is admissible and what evidence is not admissible in court so that lawyers can properly prepare their cases.
Written by: Alifah Nurul
Date: 22 Jun 2021