Circumstantial Evidence 1
Circumstantial Evidence 1
Circumstantial Evidence 1
Introduction
Rules
Further information
Introduction
Circumstantial evidence is evidence of facts that the court can draw
conclusions from. For example, if an assault happened on O'Connell
Street at 6.15pm, you can give evidence that you saw the accused
walking down O'Connell Street at 6pm. In that situation, you are giving
the court circumstantial evidence. The court can draw conclusions
from the fact that the accused was on O'Connell Street at 6pm, but
you have not given evidence about whether the accused attacked a
person.
The fact that the accused had an intense dislike of the victim
The fact that the accused behaved in a bizarre and suspicious
way after the offence
The fact that the accused lied about their alibi
The fact that the accused was in the area when the offence was
committed
The fact that the defendant's blood or DNA matches blood or
DNA found on the victim's body
Rules
Generally, circumstantial evidence can be admitted in court. However,
the courts are careful when the only evidence in a case is
circumstantial evidence.