Which statement best describes Relevant Evidence?

• A. Evidence that tends to prove or disprove an element of the crime charged, prove or rebut a defense, or concerns the credibility of a witness.
• B. Evidence that is always admissible.
• C. Evidence that has no probative value.
• D. Evidence that is illegal if used.

Answer: (A)

Relevant evidence is evidence that makes a fact of consequence more or less probable in the case. It covers how evidence can address what must be proven for the crime, how it can support or rebut a defense, and how it can bear on a witness’s credibility. The statement aligns with this by listing these exact ways evidence can be relevant: proving elements of the charged offense, addressing defenses, and affecting credibility.

Remember that relevance is necessary but not alone sufficient for admissibility—evidence still must pass other rules (like not being unfairly prejudicial). The idea that relevant evidence is always admissible isn’t accurate, nor is the idea that relevant evidence has no probative value. Also, illegality of how evidence was obtained or used isn’t what defines relevance; it can lead to exclusion on other grounds, but relevance itself is about probative value related to facts of consequence.