Rules of Evidence

Definition of Rules of Evidence

Note: See a more comprehensive approach to the Rules of Evidence legal concept in the American Law Encyclopedia

Standards that govern the presentation of evidence at a trial. The rules of evidence are designed to facilitate the truth-seeking function of the adversary process. Rules of evidence come largely from decisions of appellate courts, but are also established by statute. The rules generally focus on the admissibility of particular evidence. Trial judges make determinations about admissibility of evidence in individual cases based on the general principles contained in the rules.

See Also

Evidence (Law of the United States) Exclusionary Rule (Law of the United States) Hearsay (Law of the United States).

Resources

Rules of Evidence Related Resources

• Rules of Evidence in the United States Legal Encyclopedia
• Criminal Judicial Process Keywords in the United States Legal Encyclopedia
• Criminal Process Keywords in the International Legal Dictionary

Notes

• “Rules of Evidence”, The American Law Dictionary, 1991, California

Rules of Evidence (Criminal Judicial Process)