What does 'admissible evidence' refer to?

Admissible evidence refers to evidence that a court allows to be presented during a trial. This concept is crucial in legal proceedings because not all evidence is automatically accepted; it must meet certain criteria to be deemed admissible. These criteria often involve relevance, reliability, and adherence to specific legal rules and standards.

When evidence is classified as admissible, it means that it has been evaluated and approved according to the rules of evidence, allowing it to be considered by the judge or jury in making a decision. The process of determining admissibility can involve evidentiary hearings where the parties may argue for or against the inclusion of the evidence based on its legality and appropriateness in the case.

Understanding that admissible evidence is specifically about what can be presented in court helps clarify that it is distinct from general notions of evidence. For instance, not all evidence is inherently accepted; some may be excluded due to being hearsay, irrelevant, or violating procedural rules. Thus, admissible evidence plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the judicial process is fair and based on sound reasoning.