legal standards for testimony

Legal standards for testimony refer to the rules that determine whether a witness’s statement is considered reliable and admissible in court. Key standards include relevance (the testimony must relate to the case), credibility (the witness’s honesty and reliability), and competency (the witness’s ability to accurately perceive and recall events). Certain rules also restrict hearsay (secondhand information) unless exceptions apply. Overall, these standards ensure that testimony assists in establishing facts fairly and accurately, allowing the court to make informed decisions based on trustworthy evidence.