What are the rules regarding the admissibility of evidence in a drug case?

The admissibility of evidence in a drug case in Washington is determined by the Washington State Rules of Evidence. The most relevant rules are those concerning search and seizure, hearsay and chain of custody of evidence. To be admissible in court, evidence must have been obtained through lawful search and seizure. This means that police must have a lawful warrant or other legal justification to search an area or take evidence. Further, the evidence must be relevant to the case in question and not obtained illegally. Hearsay is also not allowed in court. That is, an individual cannot make a statement that someone else has said, unless the speaker is present to verify the statement. Finally, the chain of custody of evidence is also important in determining admissibility. Chain of custody refers to the chronological documentation of the handling of evidence from the moment it was seized until it is presented in court. This helps to ensure the integrity of the evidence and that it has not been tampered with. To conclude, the admissibility of evidence in a drug case in Washington is dependent upon three main rules: search and seizure, hearsay, and chain of custody. In order for evidence to be admitted, it must fulfill all of these criteria.

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What are the rules regarding the admissibility of evidence in a drug case?

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