Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A finding of fact is a decision made by the person or group responsible for deciding what really happened in a case. This happens when people disagree about what really happened and evidence is presented to help figure it out. The decision made about what really happened is called a finding of fact. This decision can be made by a judge or a group of people called a jury. The finding of fact is very important because it can determine the outcome of a trial. The decision made by the person or group responsible for deciding what really happened is usually respected by higher courts.
A finding of fact, also known as a conclusion of fact, is a decision made by the trier of fact in a case. The trier of fact is the person or group responsible for deciding what the facts are in a case. This decision is based on the evidence presented by the parties involved in the case.
For example, in a criminal trial, the trier of fact may be a jury. The jury will listen to the evidence presented by the prosecution and the defense and then make a decision about what the facts are in the case. The jury's decision will be based on the evidence presented, such as witness testimony, physical evidence, and expert opinions.
In a civil trial, the trier of fact may be a judge. The judge will listen to the evidence presented by both sides and then make a decision about what the facts are in the case. The judge's decision will be based on the evidence presented, such as witness testimony, documents, and other evidence.
Findings of fact are important because they often dictate the outcome of a trial. If the trier of fact decides that the defendant is guilty, for example, the defendant will be convicted and sentenced accordingly. If the trier of fact decides that the defendant is not guilty, the defendant will be acquitted and released.
On appeal, an appellate court will only overturn a conclusion of fact if the trier of fact's decision was clearly erroneous. This means that the appellate court will only overturn the decision if it was clearly wrong based on the evidence presented in the case.