Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the impact of explaining inconsistencies on legal statements?
What is the impact of explaining inconsistencies on legal statements?
- Increases the likelihood of plea deals
- Reduces the weight of the statement
- Enhances credibility and reliability (correct)
- Automatically invalidates the evidence
Which of the following is NOT a reason the court considers when evaluating evidence after a witness's credit has been impeached?
Which of the following is NOT a reason the court considers when evaluating evidence after a witness's credit has been impeached?
- The witness's prior knowledge (correct)
- The overall credibility of evidence
- The motives to distort information
- Contemporaneousness with the facts
What does Section 147(3) EA allow regarding a witness's prior inconsistent statement?
What does Section 147(3) EA allow regarding a witness's prior inconsistent statement?
- It can be disregarded if it lacks contemporaneousness
- It can only be used in cases of bribery
- It must be corroborated by other witnesses
- It can be admitted as evidence of any fact stated (correct)
What should be done when a witness's memory may genuinely fail?
What should be done when a witness's memory may genuinely fail?
Which of the following is a class of discrepancy identified in the case 'Kwang Boon Keong Peter v Public Prosecutor'?
Which of the following is a class of discrepancy identified in the case 'Kwang Boon Keong Peter v Public Prosecutor'?
How can a witness's credibility be impeached according to the provided information?
How can a witness's credibility be impeached according to the provided information?
What holds the final right of reply as per S.230(1)(v) CPC?
What holds the final right of reply as per S.230(1)(v) CPC?
What is the implication of an inadequate and tenuous defense regarding the Prosecution's burden of proof?
What is the implication of an inadequate and tenuous defense regarding the Prosecution's burden of proof?
In the context of prior inconsistent statements, which scenario is NOT applicable?
In the context of prior inconsistent statements, which scenario is NOT applicable?
What is a characteristic that can suggest a witness has an immoral character in cases of prosecution for rape?
What is a characteristic that can suggest a witness has an immoral character in cases of prosecution for rape?
Who bears the burden of proof in a criminal trial?
Who bears the burden of proof in a criminal trial?
What must occur if a witness's testimony is deemed crucial for a fair decision?
What must occur if a witness's testimony is deemed crucial for a fair decision?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the close of the Prosecution's case?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the close of the Prosecution's case?
When can the Prosecution re-call witnesses during a trial?
When can the Prosecution re-call witnesses during a trial?
What does the court exercise discretion to do when evidence suggests another offense?
What does the court exercise discretion to do when evidence suggests another offense?
Which section outlines the procedural guidelines for amending charges in a criminal case?
Which section outlines the procedural guidelines for amending charges in a criminal case?
What should the Defense avoid when making a submission of no case?
What should the Defense avoid when making a submission of no case?
What is required if a prima facie case exists in a criminal trial?
What is required if a prima facie case exists in a criminal trial?
What is the term for the evidence that allows the judge to establish essential elements of an offense?
What is the term for the evidence that allows the judge to establish essential elements of an offense?
Which act allows for re-examination by the prosecutor to clarify points from cross-examination?
Which act allows for re-examination by the prosecutor to clarify points from cross-examination?
What must the Accused do when the charges are read according to s230(1) CPC?
What must the Accused do when the charges are read according to s230(1) CPC?
Under which section of the Evidence Act is no particular number of witnesses required to prove any fact?
Under which section of the Evidence Act is no particular number of witnesses required to prove any fact?
What is a potential consequence of not producing evidence that could be favorable to the case?
What is a potential consequence of not producing evidence that could be favorable to the case?
What is the focus of the defense's case as outlined in the content?
What is the focus of the defense's case as outlined in the content?
Which section outlines the procedure for the court to alter the charge?
Which section outlines the procedure for the court to alter the charge?
What must occur at the close of the prosecution's case if there is no case for the defense to answer?
What must occur at the close of the prosecution's case if there is no case for the defense to answer?
What role does the qualification and materiality of a witness play in adverse inferences?
What role does the qualification and materiality of a witness play in adverse inferences?
What condition must be met for a prosecution case to offer its remaining witnesses after proving its case?
What condition must be met for a prosecution case to offer its remaining witnesses after proving its case?
What does s129 CPC specify regarding alterations of charges?
What does s129 CPC specify regarding alterations of charges?
In what manner can the prosecution's evidence be presented without calling the qualified person according to s263 CPC?
In what manner can the prosecution's evidence be presented without calling the qualified person according to s263 CPC?
What is the significance of s291 (1) CPC concerning the accused's testimony?
What is the significance of s291 (1) CPC concerning the accused's testimony?
Under what circumstances can a court recall a witness according to s283(2) CPC?
Under what circumstances can a court recall a witness according to s283(2) CPC?
Who has the final right of reply during the closing submissions in a trial?
Who has the final right of reply during the closing submissions in a trial?
What must occur if the court finds the accused not guilty?
What must occur if the court finds the accused not guilty?
Which of the following is true about prior inconsistent statements according to the impeachment procedure?
Which of the following is true about prior inconsistent statements according to the impeachment procedure?
What does it mean for the prosecution to bear the burden of proof?
What does it mean for the prosecution to bear the burden of proof?
What is the implication of allowing parties to re-call a witness when a charge is amended?
What is the implication of allowing parties to re-call a witness when a charge is amended?
Under s230(1)(t) CPC, what right does the Prosecution have at the close of the Defence case?
Under s230(1)(t) CPC, what right does the Prosecution have at the close of the Defence case?
In what context must the judge comply with the procedure under S.228 CPC if the accused is found guilty?
In what context must the judge comply with the procedure under S.228 CPC if the accused is found guilty?
What characterizes the exercise of discretion to recall witnesses as stated in the content?
What characterizes the exercise of discretion to recall witnesses as stated in the content?
Flashcards
Inconsistencies in a statement
Inconsistencies in a statement
Differences or discrepancies in a statement over time.
Impact of inconsistencies on credibility
Impact of inconsistencies on credibility
Inconsistencies can reduce the believability and trustworthiness of a statement.
Impeaching a witness
Impeaching a witness
Challenging the credibility or trustworthiness of a witness.
Prior inconsistent statement
Prior inconsistent statement
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Weight of evidence
Weight of evidence
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Witness's memory loss
Witness's memory loss
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Memory refreshing
Memory refreshing
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Impeachment procedure basis
Impeachment procedure basis
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Discrepancies in testimony
Discrepancies in testimony
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Prior inconsistent statement vs two accounts
Prior inconsistent statement vs two accounts
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Burden of Proof
Burden of Proof
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Cross-Examination
Cross-Examination
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Amend the Charge
Amend the Charge
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Prima Facie Case
Prima Facie Case
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Essential Elements
Essential Elements
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No Case to Answer
No Case to Answer
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Examination in Chief
Examination in Chief
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Credible Evidence
Credible Evidence
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Recall Witness
Recall Witness
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Rebuttal
Rebuttal
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Adverse Inference
Adverse Inference
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Close of Prosecution's Case
Close of Prosecution's Case
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Reasonable Doubt
Reasonable Doubt
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Amendment of Charge
Amendment of Charge
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Procedure for Altering Charge
Procedure for Altering Charge
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Court's Role in Altering Charge
Court's Role in Altering Charge
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Recall of Witnesses
Recall of Witnesses
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Stay of Proceedings
Stay of Proceedings
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Case for the Defence
Case for the Defence
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Defendant's Evidence Order
Defendant's Evidence Order
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Defendant's Oath
Defendant's Oath
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Sparing Recall
Sparing Recall
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Rebuttal Witnesses
Rebuttal Witnesses
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Notice for Additional Witnesses
Notice for Additional Witnesses
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Tenuous Defense
Tenuous Defense
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Impeachment Procedure
Impeachment Procedure
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Study Notes
Credibility and Reliability of Statements
- Explaining inconsistencies enhances the credibility and reliability of a statement, impacting its legal weight.
- Misrepresentation by the statement maker reduces credibility.
- Courts carefully evaluate all evidence, even after a witness's credibility is questioned.
- Section 147(3) of the Evidence Act allows prior inconsistent statements as evidence of facts stated within, weighing depending on circumstances.
- Contemporaneousness and motives to distort information influence the weight of prior inconsistent statements.
- Forgetful witnesses should have their memory refreshed per Section 161 of the Evidence Act.
Impeachment Procedure
- Impeachment procedure is based on statutes, case law, and practice.
- Witness contradicting prior statements, even after attempts to refresh memory, can be categorized in four classes of discrepancies: minor, apparent, serious, and material.
- Witness's credibility can be impeached by proving unworthiness, bribery, corruption, or inconsistencies.
Prosecution and Defense
- Prosecution holds the final right of reply as outlined in Section 230(1)(v) of the CPC.
- Inadequate or weak defenses do not fulfill the Prosecution's burden of proof.
- Defense initiates closing submissions as per Section 230(1)(u) of the CPC.
- Burden of proof always rests with the Prosecution.
Criminal Trials
- During the close of prosecution's case, all primary facts are deemed true unless inherently incredible or discredited.
- Prosecutor can re-call witnesses following Defense.
- Court not bound to look for offenses beyond the charge.
- Courts should use discretion judiciously when recalling witnesses.
- Accused must provide a defense if there's a prima facie case.
Amending Charges
- Courts can modify charges prior to defense presentation in criminal cases.
- Court considers totality of evidence when ruling on criminal cases.
- Judges decide on questions of law regarding credible evidence to establish offense elements.
- Submissions of no case need evidence-based reasoning, not mere procedural concerns
- Prosecution witnesses are examined in chief by the prosecutor.
Witnesses and Evidence
- Qualified individuals' reports can be evidence without their personal appearance.
- Reports of qualified persons are admissible as preliminary proof of facts stated.
- Accused is presented with options to give testimony or remain silent.
- Reports of qualified individuals may be used as evidence without the witness needing to testify personally.
Adverse Inference
- A presumption may be made if evidence is withheld that could be favorable to the party withholding it.
- Material witnesses should be called, and their absence may be used as evidence against a party.
Reasonable Doubt
- Prosecutor bears burden of proving case beyond a reasonable doubt.
- A case can be founded on a single witness's testimony, but the evidence should be scrutinized closely.
- Reasonable doubt is based on logical connections to evidence, not fanciful doubts
Impeachment of Witnesses
- Witnesses can be impeached by the adverse party or (with court consent) by the party who called the witness, by providing evidence of unworthiness (e.g., bribery), by proving contradictory statements, or by illustrating immoral character.
Procedure for Establishing Inconsistent Statements
- The procedure for establishing inconsistent statements involves identifying material inconsistencies, highlighting discrepancies in statements, and questioning the witness on those statements. The court will determine whether there are serious/material inconsistencies.
Weight of Statements
- The weight given to a witness's prior inconsistent statement depends on factors like contemporaneousness with the events, incentives for misrepresentation, and any circumstances suggesting accuracy or inaccuracy.
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Description
This quiz explores the principles surrounding the credibility and reliability of witness statements in legal contexts. It covers topics such as the impact of inconsistencies, the impeachment procedure, and relevant sections from the Evidence Act. Test your knowledge on how evidence is evaluated in courts.