Evidence is anything that tends to prove or disprove a material or relevant fact alleged in a lawsuit or other legal proceeding. Witness testimony, documents, contracts, email messages, photographs, medical bills, video images, and voice recordings are common pieces of evidence.
In Colorado, evidence is regulated by both state statutes and the Colorado Rules of Evidence. These rules determine what evidence is admissible in court to prove or disprove facts pertinent to a case. The admissibility of evidence such as witness testimony, documents, contracts, email messages, photographs, medical bills, video images, and voice recordings is subject to relevance, reliability, and various other legal standards. For instance, evidence must be relevant to the issues in the case and not overly prejudicial. Hearsay, or statements made outside of the courtroom, is generally inadmissible unless it falls under one of the many exceptions. The Colorado Rules of Evidence are largely modeled after the Federal Rules of Evidence, ensuring a degree of uniformity with federal standards. Attorneys in Colorado must navigate these rules to effectively present their cases in court, whether in civil or criminal proceedings.