The Role of Evidence in Criminal Cases

If you're facing criminal charges, one of the most important things you should know is the role of evidence in your case. For the prosecution to get a conviction, they must prove you are “guilty beyond a reasonable doubt." To do so, the prosecution needs strong, convincing evidence.

Evidence is what the prosecution uses to try to prove you committed a crime, and what your lawyer can use to show your innocence or create doubt about the prosecution’s claims.

In this article, we will tell you about the significance of evidence in criminal cases and how it can impact your defense.

Let’s dive in!

In any criminal case, a defendant is “presumed innocent until proven guilty”. This is what makes evidence so crucially important.

Evidence is significant for the following reasons:

For the prosecution, evidence is key to showing that you committed the crime. They need to present a series of facts and materials that, together, prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you're guilty. Without strong evidence, their case can fall apart.

Example: Imagine you're accused of burglary. The prosecution might use fingerprints found at the crime scene, video footage showing you entering the property, and stolen items found in your home. Each piece of evidence helps build a story that points to your guilt.

With such a collection of evidence, the prosecution aims to create a convincing story that can sway the judge or jury, by leaving little room for doubt about your involvement in the crime.

Evidence is just as important for the defense. Your lawyer can use evidence to cast doubt on the prosecution’s case or to present an alternative explanation for your actions. Your attorney’s goal isn't necessarily to prove innocence beyond a reasonable doubt but to introduce enough doubt that a conviction can't be justified.

Example: In a DUI case, your lawyer might try to show that the breathalyzer machine was faulty or that you have a medical condition affecting the results. They might also call witnesses who can testify that you seemed sober and were driving safely. This can weaken the prosecution’s argument that you were driving under the influence.

For the defense, presenting strong counterevidence, you can show that the prosecution’s evidence isn't as solid as it seems, creating reasonable doubt.

The rules of evidence are designed to ensure that only relevant and reliable information is presented in court. This prevents unfair prejudice, confusion, or misleading the jury. Both the prosecution and defense can challenge the use of any evidence they believe does not meet these standards.

Example: If the prosecution tries to introduce evidence obtained through an illegal search, your defense lawyer can file a motion to suppress this evidence. If the judge agrees, it won't be allowed in court. This protects your rights. As well, the defense can challenge the relevance of certain evidence if it does not directly pertain to the case.

By challenging admissibility of evidence, your attorney ensures that the court bases its sentence on factual and relevant information, rather than on emotions and prejudice.

Both sides of a criminal case trial use evidence to build a reasonable story that they present to the judge or jury. This story follows a certain logic to explain the events in question and support their version of what happened.

Used effectively, evidence can make the difference between a compelling story and a disjointed one.

Example: Say you’re facing a murder trial. The prosecution might use forensic evidence, eyewitness testimony, text messages or social media posts to construct a timeline of events leading up to the crime. The defense on the other hand, might create a story by: presenting alibi witnesses, expert testimony to challenge the forensic evidence, and offering alternative interpretations of text and social media messages.

Sometimes, a well-told story is all that lies between a conviction or an acquittal. Evidence helps build this narrative, helping the judge or jury understand, or as we mentioned above, building reasonable doubt.

The way evidence is presented can significantly influence how the jury sees the case. Clear, compelling evidence can sway the jury towards a conviction, while weak or poorly presented evidence can create doubt.

Example: In high-profile cases, like the trial of Casey Anthony, the presentation of evidence was critical. The prosecution's inability to conclusively link Anthony to the death of her daughter through forensic evidence played a key role in her acquittal.

Jurors are human and can be swayed by how convincingly evidence is delivered, as well as how well it fits into the overall narrative of the case.

Evidence is not just about the facts of the current case. It also interacts with legal precedents and case law. Previous court decisions can influence what types of evidence are admissible and how they should be interpreted.

Example: In the landmark case of Miranda v. Arizona, the Supreme Court established the importance of Miranda rights, which include informing suspects of their right to remain silent and to have an attorney. Evidence obtained in violation of these rights can be excluded from trial, shaping how police conduct interrogations and collect evidence.

Evidence can be used to back up what witnesses say. This helps to confirm that their testimony is credible and reliable.

Example: Say you are charged with the crime of theft. A witness might testify that they saw you stealing an item. If security camera footage also shows you committing the theft, this evidence supports the witness’s testimony and strengthens the prosecution’s case.

So in such a case, the camera footage is corroborating evidence, and the prosecution can use it in court to back up witness statements. This reduces the likelihood of the jury dismissing the testimony as unreliable or biased.

On the other hand, evidence can be used to discredit witnesses and challenge their credibility. If evidence contradicts what a witness says, it can weaken the prosecution’s case.

Example: If a witness testifies that you were at the crime scene, but GPS data from your phone shows you were miles away at the time, this evidence can discredit the witness and support your alibi.

Using evidence to discredit a witness helps your defense in the following ways:

• It creates reasonable doubt and protects you from wrongful conviction
• It also ensures that the jury bases their verdict on trustworthy and accurate information

Certain types of evidence can help show what you were thinking at the time of the crime. This can be crucial for proving elements of the crime, like premeditation in a murder case.

Example: Emails or text messages indicating that you planned the crime in advance can show premeditation and intent, which are necessary to secure a conviction for first-degree murder.

Demonstrating intent can do the following:

• Help to differentiate between levels of severity in criminal charges, such as manslaughter versus first-degree murder
• Significantly impact the penalties and sentencing

Evidence can help establish a timeline of events, showing what happened and when. This can explain the sequence of events and help the jury understand how the crime unfolded.

Example: You’ve been charged with arson. Surveillance footage, phone records, and eyewitness accounts can be pieced together to create a timeline showing your movements and actions leading up to the fire.

• Piecing together the events logically makes it easier to see how the evidence supports the charges
• It also helps refute any alibis or alternate timelines presented by the defense

Evidence is the foundation of any criminal case. Amongst other reasons:

• It serves as the basis for proving guilt or innocence
• It also ensures that trials are fair, narratives are coherent, and the rights of all parties are protected.

Always work with an experienced criminal law attorney who can help you present the strongest case possible.