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 Rhode Island, as in other jurisdictions, evidence is crucial in legal proceedings to establish the truth of disputed facts. The state follows rules that are similar to the Federal Rules of Evidence, which govern the admissibility and use of evidence in court. Evidence can be anything that makes a fact more or less probable than it would be without the evidence. Common forms of evidence include witness testimony, documents, contracts, email messages, photographs, medical bills, video footage, and voice recordings. The admissibility of such evidence is subject to various rules that ensure fairness and reliability. For instance, evidence must be relevant to the issues in the case and not overly prejudicial. Hearsay, or testimony about statements made outside of court, is generally inadmissible unless it falls under one of the recognized exceptions. The Rhode Island Rules of Evidence provide the framework for determining what evidence is permissible in court to prove or disprove allegations.