What does admissible evidence refer to?

Admissible evidence is defined as evidence that meets certain legal standards for presentation in court. This means that for evidence to be admissible, it must comply with rules established by the law regarding relevance, reliability, and the manner in which it was obtained. Courts have specific criteria to determine whether evidence can be introduced during a trial, ensuring that only trustworthy and pertinent information is presented to the jury or judge. Such standards facilitate fair proceedings and the proper administration of justice.

In contrast, evidence that is not admissible in court may include irrelevant material, illegally obtained information, or overly prejudicial data that does not assist the court in making a decision. Circumstantial evidence, while often admissible, is not the sole type of evidence considered; thus, limiting admissible evidence to only circumstantial would be incorrect. Additionally, personal opinions have strict limitations in court settings, and while expert testimony might be allowed, lay opinions are generally not admissible because they lack the necessary grounding in fact or expertise.