What are the rules of evidence to be presented in criminal cases?
In criminal cases in New York, certain rules of evidence must be followed and specific kinds of evidence may be presented in the courtroom. Generally, the types of evidence that may be presented are categorized as either direct or circumstantial evidence. Direct evidence is evidence that directly proves or disproves the existence of a fact. This type of evidence can include eye-witness testimony from someone who saw the crime, or physical objects such as weapons, clothing, or DNA samples. Circumstantial evidence is evidence that suggests a certain conclusion. This type of evidence does not directly prove a fact, but it can be used to draw conclusions about a crime. Examples of circumstantial evidence include videos of an area near a crime scene, statements from people who may have heard something related to the crime, and expert testimony from forensics who can testify as to the relevance of a certain piece of evidence. In addition, certain rules must be followed when presenting evidence, including the rules of relevance and materiality. Relevant evidence is evidence that relates to the crime at hand and is significant to the case. Material evidence is evidence that is necessary to the prosecution or defense. All evidence must follow the rules of evidence in order to be admitted in court.
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