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Simple English definitions for legal terms
direct evidence
Read a random definition: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
A quick definition of direct evidence:
Direct evidence is evidence that directly proves a person committed a crime. It can be testimony from someone who saw the crime happen or other evidence that clearly shows the person's involvement. This is different from circumstantial evidence, which is evidence that suggests a person may have committed a crime but does not directly prove it.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Direct evidence is evidence that directly links a person to a crime. It proves the ultimate fact that needs to be proven. It is the testimony of a person who has personal knowledge of the crime, such as an eyewitness. Direct evidence immediately points to the question at issue.
- An eyewitness who saw the defendant commit the crime is direct evidence.
- A video recording of the defendant committing the crime is direct evidence.
- A confession from the defendant is direct evidence.
These examples illustrate direct evidence because they directly link the defendant to the crime. An eyewitness saw the defendant commit the crime, a video recording shows the defendant committing the crime, and a confession from the defendant admits to committing the crime. These are all direct evidence because they prove the ultimate fact that needs to be proven.