How does the evidence presented in a small claims court hearing differ from that presented in other courts?

In Hawaii, small claims court is an informal process that is often used to resolve disputes that involve relatively small amounts of money. The evidence presented in a small claims court hearing is different from evidence presented in other courts as it is often less formal and lacks the same rigor. In small claims court, documents such as receipts and contracts may be used as evidence and testimony, such as witness statements, can be presented, but there is generally no need for formal discovery or other evidence-gathering procedures like depositions and interrogatories that are common in other court proceedings. Witnesses may testify in small claims court but their testimony is usually much less formal and is often relied upon for credibility rather than legal facts. Also, certain rules of evidence apply to small claims court proceedings that would not be applicable in other courts. In small claims courts, hearsay evidence is often allowed, and the judge will usually admit any evidence that is deemed to be relevant to the case, even if it goes against very strict evidentiary rules. This generally means that the evidence presented in a small claims court hearing is less complex and more informal than that in other courts.

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How does the evidence presented in a small claims court hearing differ from that presented in other courts?

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