What are the rules of evidence to be presented in criminal cases?

In criminal cases in Arizona, evidence must be presented to prove that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The rules of evidence that must be followed are established by the Federal Rules of Evidence and the Arizona Rules of Evidence. Under these rules, evidence must be relevant to the case and must not be unduly prejudicial. This means that evidence must be related to the case and cannot be used to unfairly influence the jury. Additionally, evidence must be reliable and must be obtained in a legal manner. Some of the types of evidence that are typically presented in criminal cases include witness testimony, documents and records, physical objects, photographs and videos, and expert testimony. Additionally, confessions and admissions from the accused can be used to establish guilt. However, the accused must always understand their right to remain silent and only confessions obtained in compliance with the law are admissible. In some cases, the court may also consider circumstantial evidence to help prove the defendant’s guilt. This is evidence which proves an individual’s involvement in a crime without directly pointing to it. Finally, hearsay evidence is generally not allowed in criminal cases. This is evidence which has been provided by someone other than the person being questioned, and is therefore less reliable than direct testimony.

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