What is the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence?

Direct evidence is evidence that directly proves an allegation, without the need for any other evidence to do so. Examples of direct evidence would be eyewitness testimonies, confessions, physical evidence, or anything else that directly proves the allegations. Circumstantial evidence, on the other hand, is evidence that is used to infer a particular fact or circumstance, often through a deduction or inference. Examples of circumstantial evidence would be evidence of motive, evidence of opportunity, evidence of intent, or anything else that would help to make a reasonable inference about the particular fact or circumstance in question. The main difference between direct and circumstantial evidence is that direct evidence can be used to prove an allegation on its own, while circumstantial evidence must be used in conjunction with other evidence to lead to a reasonable inference or conclusion about the allegation. Therefore, while direct evidence is often more reliable than circumstantial evidence, circumstantial evidence can still be used to help prove an allegation. In Maryland, both direct and circumstantial evidence are admissible in court. However, as noted above, circumstantial evidence must be used in conjunction with other evidence in order to lead to a reasonable inference or conclusion about a particular allegation. Therefore, when presenting a case, it is important to use both types of evidence in order to provide the court with a complete view of the facts.

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