Before a judge will enter any exhibit as evidence, which characteristic must the evidence meet?

For evidence to be accepted into a court of law, it must be deemed admissible. Admissibility refers to the legal standard that determines whether evidence can be considered by the judge or jury during a trial. This standard ensures that the evidence is relevant to the case at hand and has been collected and presented in a manner that complies with legal rules and procedures.

Admissibility encompasses various factors, including relevance to the case, reliability, and whether it was obtained in accordance with the law (for example, without violating a person's rights). If evidence is not admissible, it cannot be used to support the claims being made in court, regardless of its validity, recency, or whether it might be truthful. Therefore, the characteristic that evidence must meet in order to be entered by a judge is that it is admissible. This concept is foundational for the integrity of judicial proceedings, protecting both the legal process and the rights of the individuals involved.