Rules of Evidence Study Guide CPD
Questions and Answers Rated A+
What is the primary purpose of the rules of evidence?
✔✔To ensure fair trials by regulating the admissibility of evidence in court.
What does "relevance" mean in the context of evidence?
✔✔Relevance refers to the degree to which evidence can help prove or disprove a fact in
question.
What is hearsay evidence?
✔✔Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted.
Why is hearsay generally inadmissible?
✔✔Because the original speaker is not available for cross-examination, making it unreliable.
What are the exceptions to the hearsay rule?
✔✔Exceptions include statements made under the belief of impending death and business
records.
1
,What is meant by "admissibility" of evidence?
✔✔Admissibility refers to whether evidence can be legally introduced in court.
What is the difference between direct evidence and circumstantial evidence?
✔✔Direct evidence directly proves a fact, while circumstantial evidence suggests a fact by
implication.
What is "chain of custody"?
✔✔Chain of custody is the process of maintaining and documenting the handling of evidence to
ensure its integrity.
Why is the chain of custody important?
✔✔It establishes that the evidence has not been altered or tampered with from the time it was
collected to when it is presented in court.
What is an "affidavit"?
✔✔An affidavit is a written statement made under oath, used as evidence in court.
2
,What role does expert testimony play in court?
✔✔Expert testimony provides specialized knowledge to help the judge or jury understand
complex evidence.
What is the "best evidence rule"?
✔✔The best evidence rule requires that the original document be submitted as evidence, rather
than a copy.
What constitutes "physical evidence"?
✔✔Physical evidence includes tangible items that can be inspected or examined, like weapons or
documents.
What does the term "material evidence" mean?
✔✔Material evidence is evidence that is significant and relevant to the case at hand.
What is the role of a judge in evaluating evidence?
✔✔The judge determines the admissibility of evidence and ensures that court procedures are
followed.
3
, What is "impeachment" of a witness?
✔✔Impeachment is the process of challenging the credibility of a witness's testimony.
What does "privileged communication" refer to?
✔✔Privileged communication is a legal principle that protects certain communications from
being disclosed in court.
What is an example of a privilege that protects communication?
✔✔The attorney-client privilege protects communications between a client and their attorney
from disclosure.
What is the significance of documentary evidence?
✔✔Documentary evidence includes written records that can support or refute claims made in
court.
How does the "probative value" of evidence relate to its admissibility?
✔✔Evidence with high probative value is more likely to be admissible, as it can significantly
affect the outcome of a case.
4
Questions and Answers Rated A+
What is the primary purpose of the rules of evidence?
✔✔To ensure fair trials by regulating the admissibility of evidence in court.
What does "relevance" mean in the context of evidence?
✔✔Relevance refers to the degree to which evidence can help prove or disprove a fact in
question.
What is hearsay evidence?
✔✔Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted.
Why is hearsay generally inadmissible?
✔✔Because the original speaker is not available for cross-examination, making it unreliable.
What are the exceptions to the hearsay rule?
✔✔Exceptions include statements made under the belief of impending death and business
records.
1
,What is meant by "admissibility" of evidence?
✔✔Admissibility refers to whether evidence can be legally introduced in court.
What is the difference between direct evidence and circumstantial evidence?
✔✔Direct evidence directly proves a fact, while circumstantial evidence suggests a fact by
implication.
What is "chain of custody"?
✔✔Chain of custody is the process of maintaining and documenting the handling of evidence to
ensure its integrity.
Why is the chain of custody important?
✔✔It establishes that the evidence has not been altered or tampered with from the time it was
collected to when it is presented in court.
What is an "affidavit"?
✔✔An affidavit is a written statement made under oath, used as evidence in court.
2
,What role does expert testimony play in court?
✔✔Expert testimony provides specialized knowledge to help the judge or jury understand
complex evidence.
What is the "best evidence rule"?
✔✔The best evidence rule requires that the original document be submitted as evidence, rather
than a copy.
What constitutes "physical evidence"?
✔✔Physical evidence includes tangible items that can be inspected or examined, like weapons or
documents.
What does the term "material evidence" mean?
✔✔Material evidence is evidence that is significant and relevant to the case at hand.
What is the role of a judge in evaluating evidence?
✔✔The judge determines the admissibility of evidence and ensures that court procedures are
followed.
3
, What is "impeachment" of a witness?
✔✔Impeachment is the process of challenging the credibility of a witness's testimony.
What does "privileged communication" refer to?
✔✔Privileged communication is a legal principle that protects certain communications from
being disclosed in court.
What is an example of a privilege that protects communication?
✔✔The attorney-client privilege protects communications between a client and their attorney
from disclosure.
What is the significance of documentary evidence?
✔✔Documentary evidence includes written records that can support or refute claims made in
court.
How does the "probative value" of evidence relate to its admissibility?
✔✔Evidence with high probative value is more likely to be admissible, as it can significantly
affect the outcome of a case.
4
