Evidence: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Evidence is:

• Any observable event which tends to prove or disprove a proposition, see reality.
• Any testimony or exhibit which is allowed to be considered by the trier of fact in a judicial or administrative proceeding.

Evidence in the United States federal courts

Prior to the 1905 enactment of the Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE), the rules of evidence were governed primarily by decisional law.

FRE 102 includes the following elements in the "Purpose and Construction" of the Federal Rules of Evidence: "These rules shall be construed to..."

• secure fairness in administration
• eliminate unjustifiable expense and delay
• promote growth and development of the law of evidence to the end that the truth may be ascertained, and proceedings justly determined

The following is the table of contents of the FRE:

I. General Provisions

• Rule 101: Scope
• Rule 102: Purpose and Construction
• Rule 103: Rulings on Evidence
• Rule 104: Preliminary Questions
• Rule 105: Limited Admissibility
• Rule 106: Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded Statements

II. Judicial Notice

• Rule 201: Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts

III. Presumptions in Civil Actions and Proceedings

• Rule 301: Presumptions in General Civil Actions and Proceedings
• Rule 302: Applicability of State Law in Civil Actions and Proceedings

(to be cont.)

See also: Law, Affidavit, Circumstantial evidence, Corroborating evidence, Rebuttal, chain of custody, Forensic evidence

Evidence is also the title of a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov. See: Evidence (Asimov).