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Simple English definitions for legal terms
physical-facts rule
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A quick definition of physical-facts rule:
The physical-facts rule is a principle that says if someone says something that doesn't match up with the physical evidence in a case, we can ignore what they said. This is also called the doctrine of incontrovertible physical facts. Basically, if the evidence shows one thing and someone says something different, we trust the evidence over what they said.
A more thorough explanation:
The physical-facts rule is a principle in evidence law that states that oral testimony can be disregarded if it contradicts or cannot be reconciled with the physical evidence in a case. This principle is also known as the doctrine of incontrovertible physical facts.
For example, if a witness testifies that they saw a car accident occur at a certain time and place, but the physical evidence, such as skid marks or damage to the vehicles, indicates that the accident occurred at a different time or place, the witness's testimony may be disregarded.
Another example could be a case where a witness claims to have seen a suspect at a crime scene, but DNA evidence found at the scene does not match the suspect's DNA. In this case, the physical evidence would take precedence over the witness's testimony.
The physical-facts rule is important because it helps ensure that the evidence presented in a case is reliable and accurate. It also helps prevent false or misleading testimony from influencing the outcome of a case.