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

In Massachusetts, the rules of evidence that must be presented in criminal cases are dictated by the Massachusetts Rules of Evidence (MRE). These rules govern what types of evidence are admissible in both criminal and civil trials. For example, MRE rule 401 states that “evidence is relevant if it has any tendency to make a fact at issue more or less probable than it would be without the evidence.” This means that the evidence must be directly related to the facts of the case and must be presented in a court of law in order for it to be considered. MRE rule 402 states that “evidence which is not relevant is inadmissible”. This means that any evidence that does not have a direct bearing on the facts of the case will not be considered by the court. MRE rule 403 states that “even relevant evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury.” This means that even if the evidence is relevant to the case, the court can still decide not to use it if it has the potential to be prejudicial or misleading. In addition, MRE rule 611 states that “the court shall exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of examining witnesses and presenting evidence”. This means that the court has the power to control the way witnesses are questioned and the way evidence is presented in the courtroom. Therefore, in Massachusetts, the rules of evidence cover a wide range of topics that must be adhered to in order for a case to be successful. As such, the court must make sure that all evidence presented is relevant to the case, not prejudicial, and properly presented in order to ensure a fair trial.

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

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