What are the rules of evidence in Admiralty Law?

The rules of evidence in Admiralty law in Kansas are the same as the general rules of evidence in the United States. This means that both documentary and testimonial evidence are allowed in an Admiralty case. However, the rules of evidence are often more relaxed in Admiralty proceedings, as the judge is given more leeway to consider evidence including hearsay, character evidence, and circumstantial evidence. In an Admiralty trial, witnesses must still testify under oath. This means that they must speak truly and accurately, or face the risk of perjury. Documents can be introduced as well, such as charts, photos, and reports. However, they must be authenticated, meaning that their validity must be established. The burden of proof in an Admiralty case is a balance of probabilities, as opposed to beyond a reasonable doubt as in criminal cases. This means that the court must find that it is more likely than not that the facts being presented are true. In cases involving damages or injury, the plaintiff will need to present evidence to support the claim of damage and the defendants would present evidence to refute it. In addition, certain judicial notice rules apply in Admiralty cases. The judge may take notice of facts that are not in dispute, such as laws, records, and other published works. The judge may also take notice of certain facts that are not necessarily in dispute, but have been well established, such as weather and tides. Finally, the judge may consider relevant matters within their own knowledge.

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