admissible evidence

Definition

Information that meets legal standards to be presented in court, having survived the gauntlet of relevance, reliability, and procedural rules. If evidence were nightclub guests, this is what makes it past the velvet rope.

Example Usage

The video footage was ruled admissible evidence after we established proper chain of custody and authenticated it.

Origin

From evidence law principles in common law tradition

Fun Fact

What's admissible in one jurisdiction might not be in another, which is why lawyers forum shop to find courts with favorable evidence rules.

Source: Common evidence law terminology

Related Terms

Intermediate

remit

A fancy legal word for "send" that makes lawyers feel sophisticated when they talk about transmitting money or referring cases to lower courts. In business contexts, it means to pay what you owe; in legal contexts, it means a higher court is sending your case back down for a do-over. Also refers to someone's scope of responsibility, because apparently one word needed to mean three different things to keep everyone confused.

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acquiescence

Passive acceptance or silent agreement to something, often implying you're not thrilled about it but won't actively oppose it either. In legal terms, it's when your failure to object or take action implies you've abandoned your rights. Think of it as the legal equivalent of shrugging and moving on—except it can cost you your claim later.

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Remedy

What the court gives you to make things right after someone wrongs you, which usually means money because the legal system has not figured out how to order someone to sincerely apologize. The judicial equivalent of putting a band-aid on a broken leg.

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testimony

The formal evidence given by witnesses under oath, whether in depositions, trials, or congressional hearings. It's supposed to be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, though credibility varies wildly. Can also refer to personal religious accounts, because apparently legal and spiritual declarations needed the same word.

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Fiduciary

A person legally obligated to act in your best interest, which is a beautiful concept that works perfectly until money is involved. It is like having a best friend who is contractually required to not steal your lunch.

💰 Finance / Accounting⚖️ Legal

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lawsuit

The civilized alternative to settling disputes with pitchforks and torches, where disagreeing parties ask a judge (and possibly a jury) to decide who's right using an absurdly expensive process involving lawyers, paperwork, and years of your life. It's basically formalized arguing with filing fees. The grown-up version of 'I'm telling Mom' except Mom wears a robe and has a gavel.

⚖️ Legal

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