Intro to Paralegal Studies Practice

What determines the relevancy of evidence?

1. Whether it is admissible in court

2. If it logically leads to the conclusion of a fact

3. How it is presented during a trial

4. If it is written or oral evidence

The correct answer is: If it logically leads to the conclusion of a fact

The relevancy of evidence is fundamentally determined by whether it logically leads to the conclusion of a fact in the case. This concept is rooted in the principle that evidence must help to prove or disprove an element of the case or a fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action. If evidence can connect a fact with a hypothesis in a meaningful way, it is deemed relevant. For example, in a criminal case, if a piece of evidence can establish the defendant's whereabouts at the time of the crime or support the credibility of a witness, it logically contributes to the case's outcome. Thus, its relevance hinges on its capacity to make a fact more or less probable than it would be without that evidence. The determination of relevance does not necessarily depend on the evidence being admissible in court, the manner of its presentation, or whether it is presented in written or oral form. Those factors might influence the effectiveness of the evidence once it is considered, but they do not inherently define its relevance. Relevance is assessed primarily based on the logical connection it has to the fact or issue at hand, making the basis for its acceptability in a legal context much clearer.