CLJ CRIMINAL EVIDENCE

RULES OF EVIDENCE Based on the Book of Regalado

GENERAL PROVISIONS

  • Evidence Defined: Evidence is the means of ascertaining the truth in judicial proceedings.

  • Scope: Uniform across all courts and trials, unless otherwise provided by law or rules.

TYPES OF EVIDENCE

  1. Object (Real) Evidence

    • Tangible things presented in court for observation.

  2. Documentary Evidence

    • Written records offered as proof of their contents.

  3. Testimonial Evidence

    • Evidence from witnesses through testimony or deposition.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE

  • Relevant, Material, Competent:

    • Relevant: Evidence that proves or disproves a matter in action.

    • Material: Pertains directly to a fact in issue.

    • Competent: Admissible under law.

  • Direct vs Circumstantial Evidence:

    • Direct: Proves a fact without inference.

    • Circumstantial: Requires inference to connect evidence to a fact.

  • Cumulative vs Corroborative Evidence:

    • Cumulative: Same kind of evidence supporting the same fact.

    • Corroborative: Different evidence supporting the same point.

  • Prima Facie vs Conclusive Evidence:

    • Prima Facie: Sufficient on its own until contradicted.

    • Conclusive: Irrefutable evidence as defined by law.

  • Primary vs Secondary Evidence:

    • Primary: Best proof (e.g., original documents).

    • Secondary: Inferred evidence used when primary is unavailable.

ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE

  • Evidence must be relevant and not excluded by law.

  • Weight of evidence depends on judicial evaluation.

JUDICIAL NOTICE

  • Mandatory: Courts must take notice of public facts without evidence.

  • Discretionary: Courts may notice public knowledge or demonstrated facts.

BURDEN OF PROOF

  • Burden lies with the party asserting an issue.

  • In civil cases, proof is based on a preponderance of evidence; in criminal cases, beyond reasonable doubt.

WEIGHT AND SUFFICIENCY OF EVIDENCE

  • Civil cases: preponderance of evidence.

  • Criminal cases: proof beyond reasonable doubt.

  • Evidence must be credible and reliable, based on circumstances and demeanor.

HEARSAY RULE

  • Hearsay evidence is generally inadmissible unless exceptions apply (e.g., dying declarations, declarations against interest).

ADMISSIONS AND CONFESSIONS

  • Admissions: Statements against interest.

  • Confessions: Acknowledgment of guilt regarding a crime.

  • Extrajudicial confessions must be corroborated by independent evidence to sustain a conviction.

EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES

  • Witnesses must testify in open court.

  • Examination includes direct, cross-examination, re-direct, and re-cross-examination.

  • Witnesses have rights against self-incrimination and can refuse certain questions.

PROOF OF DOCUMENTS

  • Public documents: Always admissible without proof of authenticity.

  • Private documents: Require proof of execution and authenticity.

  • Documents over 30 years old may be accepted without additional evidence.

OBJECTIONS

  • Must be made timely, specifying the grounds for objection.

  • If not objected to, evidence may be considered by the court.