What is the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence?

In New York, direct and circumstantial evidence play important roles in criminal procedure. Direct evidence is evidence that can be used to prove a fact without inference or deduction. For example, a witness’s testimony that they saw the defendant take an object is direct evidence. Circumstantial evidence, on the other hand, is evidence that requires a reasonable inference or deduction. Examples of circumstantial evidence are witness testimony that they saw the defendant in the area near the time of the crime and physical evidence that connects the defendant to the crime. When presenting evidence in criminal procedure, direct evidence is given more weight than circumstantial evidence. However, circumstantial evidence can still be used to prove a fact in court. In some cases, circumstantial evidence is more convincing than direct evidence because it is more consistent and can lead to multiple conclusions. The difference between direct and circumstantial evidence is significant in criminal cases in New York. Direct evidence is considered more reliable than circumstantial evidence and is therefore given more weight. However, circumstantial evidence can still be used to prove a fact and must not be overlooked when building a criminal case.

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What is the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence?

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