{"id":352265,"date":"2023-12-11T08:45:02","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T13:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/documentary-evidence.html"},"modified":"2024-11-13T08:44:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T13:44:00","slug":"documentary-evidence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/documentary-evidence.html","title":{"rendered":"Documentary Evidence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Documentary Evidence<\/h1>\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Documentary evidence is a type of tangible evidence, such as writings or recordings, used in legal proceedings to prove its contents. For example, a contract is an example of documentary evidence because it can prove the terms of an agreement. Emails, photographs, and wills are more examples.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Attorneys use different types and forms of evidence to establish facts in a proceeding. In a criminal case, the prosecutor may use documentary evidence to paint a picture of your actions around the crime in question. Or, your defense lawyer might use documentary evidence to dispute your involvement.<\/p>\r\n

This article explores documentary evidence and how to challenge it in court. An experienced defense attorney<\/a> can help you apply these concepts if you face criminal charges.<\/p>\r\n

Types of Criminal Evidence<\/h2>\r\n

Evidence is often used to prove a fact in a trial or criminal proceeding. Usually, the jury or judge must weigh each piece of evidence to decide how important it is to the case. Evidence can include documents or oral testimony offered to establish facts in a legal proceeding.<\/p>\r\n

There are many rules for gathering and using evidence<\/a> in a criminal case. For example, law enforcement must follow the rules to avoid an illegal search or seizure<\/a>. A suspect also has some protection against providing self-incriminating evidence<\/a>. <\/p>\r\n

Attorneys choose from many types of evidence as they build a court case. The two main types of evidence are documentary evidence and demonstrative evidence.<\/p>\r\n

Documentary Evidence<\/h3>\r\n

Documentary evidence is often combined with physical evidence because it is often evidence that people can see, touch, or feel.<\/p>\r\n

Types of documentary evidence include:<\/p>\r\n