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

The rules of evidence to be presented in criminal cases in Maryland are outlined in Maryland Rule 5-401. This rule outlines the standards of evidence used to determine whether a criminal case has sufficient evidence to stand as proof of the charges. The first rule of evidence is relevancy, which requires that all evidence presented must be relevant to the case at hand. This means that for the evidence to be valid, it must be connected in some way to the case and support the charges. Additionally, all evidence must be authenticated, meaning that it must be proven to be what is claimed. The second rule of evidence is that all evidence must be admissible, meaning that it must be considered appropriate to be presented in a courtroom. If the court finds the evidence inadmissible, then it cannot be entered into the record. Additionally, all evidence presented must be competent and reliable. The third rule of evidence is that it must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the highest standard of proof and requires that the evidence strongly points to the defendant’s guilt. This is done by presenting multiple pieces of evidence in a cohesive manner and having witnesses testify to the veracity of the evidence. Lastly, the fourth rule of evidence is that all evidence must be corroborated, meaning that multiple sources must verify the veracity of the evidence. This requires that the witnesses be credible and reliable, as well as that the evidence is independently verifiable. This helps to show that the evidence presented is in fact true and valid.

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

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