Evidence
Any information -- documents, testimony, objects, or records -- presented in court to prove or disprove facts in a case.
Evidence is the information that parties present to a court to support their claims or defenses. It can include witness testimony, documents, photographs, physical objects, medical records, financial statements, and more.
Not all evidence is admissible. Minnesota follows rules of evidence that determine what can and cannot be considered by the judge or jury. For example, hearsay (an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of what was said) is generally not allowed, though there are many exceptions.
Why it matters: Your case is only as strong as the evidence you can present. It is not enough to know you are right – you need admissible evidence to prove it. Gathering and preserving evidence early is one of the most important things you can do when you are involved in a legal dispute.
Example: In a slip-and-fall case, the plaintiff presents medical records showing their injuries, photographs of the icy sidewalk where they fell, and testimony from a witness who saw the fall. Each of these is a different type of evidence supporting the plaintiff’s claim.
Trials, hearings, motions, and any court proceeding where facts are in dispute