When is evidence considered admissible or inadmissible? In legal proceedings, the admissibility of evidence is a crucial factor in determining the strength of a case. This refers to whether or not your attorney can present a piece of information to the court or a jury for consideration during a trial.
In general, the judge will consider evidence admissible if it is relevant, reliable, and not unfairly prejudicial to either party. However, there are certain situations in which evidence may be deemed inadmissible. Read on to explore the differences.
Factors Determining Admissible or Inadmissible Evidence
The top factors that determine whether evidence is admissible or inadmissible in legal proceedings include the following:
- Relevance
Evidence must be directly related to the issues at hand in the case. For example, if the case involves a car accident, the court would likely deem evidence about the defendant’s previous criminal history irrelevant and inadmissible.
- Reliable
For evidence to be reliable and trustworthy, it must be based on verifiable facts, sound reasoning, and a logical basis. In addition, the evidence must not be unfairly prejudicial to either party. This means that evidence that might unfairly sway a jury or judge in one direction or the other, such as hearsay or character evidence, may be excluded.
- Legally Obtained
Evidence obtained through an illegal search or seizure would likely be inadmissible in court. This is because the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. Similarly, the judge would likely deem evidence obtained through coercion or torture inadmissible due to the violation of the Fifth Amendment’s protection against self-incrimination.
In some cases, the court may also exclude evidence if the prosecution obtained it through a violation of the defendant’s rights. For example, if the police failed to read a suspect their Miranda rights before questioning them, the court will exclude any statements made during that questioning.
Get Reliable Legal Representation to Gather Evidence and Support Your Case
Ultimately, the judge will determine what evidence is considered admissible or inadmissible evidence in their court. Securing experienced legal representation is the best way to gather solid evidence to support your case and protect your rights. At Walker & Taylor, PLLC, our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys can help you build the strongest case possible. We gather admissible evidence and proving when the evidence against you may be inadmissible.
Our Houston attorneys have a track record of success in providing trusted advocacy and defense for our clients. We understand it is crucial to consider the admissibility of evidence carefully to help you move forward in your case to achieve an optimal outcome.
What evidence in your case will the courts consider admissible or inadmissible? Contact Walker & Taylor, PLLC, to schedule a free case evaluation. We will discuss your case and get the legal answers you need.