Real, Demonstrative, and Circumstantial Evidence

Real, Demonstrative, and Circumstantial Evidence

In any prosecution, distinct types of evidence are used to prove or disapprove facts to show if something is true or false. The various types of evidence that can prove or disapprove facts include; real evidence, demonstrative evidence, and circumstantial evidence (Thompson et al., 2008). All these types of evidence are essential since they can dismiss or prove facts in a case, but not all evidence that is presented can carry the same weight as others. This essay argues that the essential type of proof in successfully prosecuting a crime is real evidence, while the least important is circumstantial evidence, as explained.

Real and Circumstantial Evidence

In my opinion, the most essential in successfully prosecuting crime is real/physical evidence since upon identification of the physical evidence by the witness, and authentication and introduction into evidence as an exhibit, the physical evidence speaks for itself. This type of evidence does not require the jury to depend on the testimony of a witness to provide a description and to explain what was found. Real evidence proves and disapproves of the issue of fact in a trial, and to be used, real evidence must be authentic, relevant, and material (Thompson et al., 2008). Circumstantial evidence, on the other hand, is the least important in successfully prosecuting a crime; this type of evidence depends on the testimony presented and a statement of facts that constitute a disputed material proposition of the rule of law. Circumstantial evidence also requires that the proof offered is factual. A successful prosecution requires that there is a conducting of vigorous tests to determine whether evidence is enough to convict; hence, real evidence is the most important.

Each jury has the responsibility of weighing the type of evidence and make a decision among themselves on the one that will show guilt or innocence of the evidence that is presented during a trial. Real, demonstrative, and circumstantial evidence are used according to the magnitude of a crime. Convicting a suspect in a crime depends on if there is enough evidence present in a case.

References

Thompson, R. A., Nored, L. S., Worrall, J. L., & Hemmens, C. (2008). An Introduction to Criminal Evidence: A Casebook Approach. Oxford University Press, https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/An-Introduction-to-Criminal-Evidence%3A-A-Casebook-Worrall/43c903a9e83dbda26a2dae47df91e40bea18add4