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

In Indiana, small claims court hearings differ from other courts in the amount of evidence presented. Typically, small claims court does not involve attorneys and is designed to be a more informal setting than a traditional courtroom. Although the standard of evidence remains the same in small claims court, the types of evidence allowed can be less stringent. In small claims court, testimony from witnesses or parties involved in the case is the most commonly accepted form of evidence, while things like documents, photographs, or physical items are not required to be presented. Furthermore, any evidence that is presented does not need to follow the same strict rules of authenticity as it would in other courts. It is common in small claims court for a witness to present a signed document as evidence without having to validate its origin. In other court hearings, more evidence is typically presented. Witnesses must provide their testimonies as well as other types of evidence like documents, photographs, or physical items that are authenticated by an expert witness or other form of validation. Furthermore, witnesses may be subject to cross-examination by attorneys representing the opposing side. Overall, small claims courts allow for more leniency when it comes to evidence presented, while other courts have a stricter adherence to the rules of evidence.

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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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