Legal Definitions - credibility

Credibility refers to the quality of being believable or trustworthy. In legal settings, it assesses whether a person (like a witness), a piece of evidence, or a statement is reliable and convincing enough to be accepted as true by a judge or jury.

Here are some examples illustrating credibility:

• Example 1: Witness Testimony

  During a trial, a witness testifies that they saw a red car run a stop sign. The witness is a retired optometrist with excellent vision, was not distracted at the time, and has no personal connection to either party involved in the accident. Furthermore, their account remains consistent even under cross-examination.

  This example demonstrates credibility because the witness's professional background, clear observation conditions, lack of bias, and consistent testimony make their account highly believable and worthy of acceptance by the court.

• Example 2: Physical Evidence

  In a case involving a disputed contract, a lawyer presents an original, signed document that has been authenticated by a handwriting expert and shows no signs of alteration. This is presented alongside a digital copy of the same contract that was found on an unverified computer and has metadata suggesting it was modified recently.

  The original, authenticated physical document possesses higher credibility than the digital copy. Its verifiable authenticity and lack of tampering make it more believable as the true agreement, whereas the digital copy's origins and potential for modification reduce its trustworthiness.

• Example 3: Expert Opinion

  An environmental lawsuit requires an assessment of soil contamination. The plaintiff brings in a soil scientist with 30 years of experience, a Ph.D. from a renowned university, and numerous peer-reviewed publications on soil toxicology. The defense presents a general consultant with a bachelor's degree and limited experience in this specific area.

  The soil scientist's extensive experience, advanced education, and specialized publications significantly enhance their credibility. Their expert opinion on the soil contamination is far more likely to be believed and given weight by the court compared to the less qualified general consultant.