Intro to Paralegal Studies Practice

Which term describes the requirement that evidence must be more probative than prejudicial?

1. Relevancy

2. Authentication

3. Materiality

4. Cumulatie Evidence

The correct answer is: Materiality

The requirement that evidence must be more probative than prejudicial is best described by the concept of materiality. Materiality refers to the significance of evidence in relation to the case at hand; it must be relevant and directly contribute to the determination of facts in a case. This principle ensures that evidence presented in court should assist in proving or disproving a fact that is at issue, while also aiming to minimize any undue harm or bias it may cause against one of the parties involved. The correct emphasis on materiality aligns with the legal standard that evidence should not only be relevant but also should not overwhelm the facts with unfair prejudice. In essence, it serves to uphold the integrity of the judicial process by allowing only evidence that genuinely aids in the pursuit of truth and justice, while protecting parties from potential biases that could arise from inflammatory or irrelevant information. In contrast, relevancy more broadly assesses whether evidence pertains to the case, while authentication refers to establishing the validity of evidence as genuine. Cumulative evidence describes additional evidence that may add little beyond what has already been established, and is not tied directly to the probative versus prejudicial requirement.