What is the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence?

In Texas, direct evidence is evidence that directly proves a fact without the need of any inference or speculation. This type of evidence includes firsthand accounts from witnesses or confessions from defendants. Direct evidence is often considered to be the most reliable form of proof. Circumstantial evidence, on the other hand, is evidence that requires an inference or deduction of the fact in dispute. This type of evidence is indirect in nature and involves pieces of evidence that relate to a disputed fact. For example, a surveillance video showing a person walking away from the scene of a crime could be used as circumstantial evidence to infer that the person was the one who committed the crime. The most important difference between direct and circumstantial evidence is that direct evidence is more reliable since it does not rely on any inferences or speculation and establishes the facts directly. On the other hand, circumstantial evidence is less reliable since it requires an inference to be drawn in order to prove the facts in dispute. In Texas, the courts will consider both types of evidence when determining whether or not a person is guilty, but the weight given to the evidence will depend on its reliability.

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What is the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence?

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