Relevant Evidence is Evidence that Makes an Important Fact More or Less Likely to be True
It is important that you have an attorney that understands what is “relevant” under the Michigan Rules of Evidence, so that irrelevant evidence that might be harmful does not get admitted at a hearing or trial.
Only Relevant Evidence is Admissible In Court
In the recent case regarding relevant evidence of People v Dennis Lee Tomasik, the Michigan Supreme Court determined that the trial court abused its discretion by admitting the recording of the defendant’s interrogation at the trial. Nothing of any relevance was said during the interrogation, so it should not have been admitted. The court decided that it having been admitted amounted to plain error that affected the defendant’s substantial rights and seriously affected the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of the court proceedings.
The court further stated that in a trial when there is a credibility contest between the complaining witness and the defendant, the prosecutor cannot introduce statements from the office in charge of the case to vouch for the credibility of the complaining witness and that the office believes the defendant to be guilty.
The Rules of Evidence rules are very complicated, and understanding the nuances of the rules can prove to be an invaluable advantage in a trial or evidentiary hearing. Shockingly, many criminal defense lawyers struggle to understand the nuances and complexities of the rules regarding relevant evidence. It is important that you have the best legal help available if you are facing criminal charges. A prosecutor will try and convict you, and they will be well trained on how to use the Rules of Evidence to gain every possible advantage. You need to have someone working for you with vast expertise in the evidence rules and trial procedure in general so the tables can be turned to your advantage. The attorneys with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. take great pride in their knowledge and expertise in the Rules of Evidence and our ability to give our clients every possible advantage in court.
Michigan’s Premier Trial Defense Team
At any hearing or trial, only evidence relevant to the facts of the case should be allowed to be considered by a judge or jury. It often happens that an attorney that is not well prepared, well trained, or experienced will not know what is relevant (or simply miss something), may allow irrelevant evidence to be admitted, or simply may not know the procedure for admitting important evidence. This can be fatally harmful to a defendant’s case. This is why you want an attorney representing you that had the experience and expertise to know what should and should not be allowed to be admitted in court. It often is a split-second decision during a hearing or trial, and the most well-versed, articulate, and well-prepared lawyer usually wins!
The attorneys at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. are well recognized for their successful trial work. If you want the best attorney by your side, you owe it to yourself to contact the law firm of LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. The firm’s attorneys have decades of experience handling criminal defense matters and using the Michigan Rules of Evidence, like the rules regarding relevant evidence, to our client’s advantage. They take great pride in their reputation for success and their reputation with former clients, the judiciary, and other lawyers.
Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete a Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.
We will find a way to help you and, most importantly,
we are not afraid to win!
