Each year thousands of Florida residents are charged with crimes, from misdemeanors to felonies. Contrary to what media coverage these days would have most people believe, an arrest is not the same as a conviction. Every defendant is supposed to have the benefit of the doubt, commonly known as being held as “innocent until proven guilty.” In order for law enforcement officials and prosecutors to prove that a criminal suspect is guilty, they will need to collect and present evidence.
So, what types of evidence might come up in your criminal case? Well, there is quite a potential variety, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case. In the vast majority of cases, there will probably be eyewitness testimony that is presented as evidence. This can come in the form, simply, of a person telling what they saw. However, there is a potential for “hearsay” evidence when it comes to eyewitness testimony, which is when a witness tries to repeat a statement that was heard from a third-party to prove the truth of the statement asserted. Such evidence, despite many exceptions, is usually inadmissible in court.
Physical evidence may be part of the case as well. This can include, for example, items or weapons that were allegedly used in an assault, or even drugs seized by law enforcement officials. With physical evidence, criminal defendants will want to make sure that such items were seized in compliance with all constitutional protections.
These days, scientific evidence may be part of a case as well. This includes DNA or fingerprints, for example. The use of scientific evidence in a case can be subjected to stringent legal analysis to determine its admissibility in the case.
It is important to understand what evidence might be admitted in your case, so you can better understand the criminal defense process. With the right information at hand, you can develop a solid defense strategy. Many people choose to have professional legal help in these matters.