The rules of criminal evidence govern how parties, judges, and juries offer and then evaluate the various forms of evidence presented at trial. In some ways, evidence is an extension of civil and criminal procedure. Generally, evidence law establishes a group of limitations that courts enforce against attorneys in an attempt to control the various events that the trial process presents in an adversarial setting.
In the United States, the federal courts must follow the Federal Rules of Evidence (hereinafter “FRE”). State courts, on the other hand, generally follow their own rules, which are generally imposed by the various state legislatures. The FRE is the most influential body of American evidence law. Its language is accessible, easy to read, and mostly free of technical jargon and complicated cross-referencing. The FRE has been enormously influential in the development of U.S. evidence law.
Before 1975, U.S. evidence law was mostly a creature of the common law tradition. The FRE was drafted and proposed by a distinguished advisory committee composed of practitioners, judges, and law professors appointed by the United States Supreme Court. Just 20 years after the FRE was adopted in the federal system, almost three-quarters of the states had adopted codes that closely resemble the FRE.
The FRE applies in all federal courts in both criminal and civil cases. Understanding some of the basic provisions of the FRE will enable most people to figure out what’s going on at trial, even if there are deviations between the FRE and applicable state laws criminal of evidence.
There are different types of evidence that can be used in a criminal trial, and a variety of rules that govern evidence. Some common concepts that come up when discussing the rules of evidence are:
- Circumstantial Evidence: This isn’t what you would call “smoking gun” evidence, but rather some piece of information that strongly infers a set of circumstances.
- Corroborating Evidence: Evidence that strengthens another piece of evidence, even if it isn’t directly related to the crime.
- Hearsay: This isn’t given under oath or offered as official evidence, but merely stated out of court.
- Exclusionary Rule: This rule of evidence applies to that which was obtained in violation of the defendant’s constitutional rights. Seizing property without a warrant often is considered a violation and thereby subject to the exclusionary rule.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a criminal charge, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you, and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties, and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer.
