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Simple English definitions for legal terms
competent evidence
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A quick definition of competent evidence:
Competent evidence is evidence that is allowed to be used in a court of law. This evidence helps to prove what is being argued in the case. For example, in a murder trial, the murder weapon with the defendant's fingerprints on it would be considered competent evidence. The Rhode Island Supreme Court has defined competent evidence as evidence that a reasonable person would accept as enough to support a conclusion, but not necessarily the strongest evidence available.
A more thorough explanation:
Competent evidence is evidence that is legally allowed to be presented in court. This type of evidence is used to prove a point in a case. For example, in a murder trial, the murder weapon with the defendant's fingerprints on it would be considered competent evidence.
The Rhode Island Supreme Court has defined legally competent evidence as "relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion, and means an amount more than a scintilla but less than a preponderance". This means that the evidence presented must be relevant and convincing enough to support a conclusion, but it does not have to be overwhelming.
Other examples of competent evidence include eyewitness testimony, medical records, and expert opinions. These types of evidence are admissible in court and can be used to support a case.