MPTC Bridge Criminal Law questions with correct answers

Direct Evidence - Answer Based on personal knowledge or observations direct evidence is true proves a fact without the need for inferences are presumptions example video surveillance a witness who saw suspect strike the victim of assault and battery Circumstantial Evidence - Answer Testimony not based on actual personal knowledge or observation of facts in controversy but have other facts from which deductions are drawn showing indirectly the facts sought to be proved (black dictionary) example suspects fingerprints at scene of a robbery jury can conclude the suspect was in the store at some point but print is not direct evidence that suspect committed the robbery Testimonial Evidence - Answer Evidence may be direct or circumstantial include statements made by victims, witnesses, suspect or police those statements may consist of personal observations knowledge or may involve the communication of information from which one may infer facts Exculpatory evidence - Answer Refer to evidence including statements which are helpful to defense this includes information that the defendant stories calls into question immaterial element of the commonwealth version of events or challenges the credibility of a witness for the prosecution. Due process of law requires the government disclose to a criminal suspect favorable evidence in its possession that could materially aid the defense against the judges relevant evidence - Answer Evidence is relevant if it has any tendency to make a fact more or less probable than it would be without the evidence and the fact is of consequence in determining the action