Relevance and Admissibility of Evidence
Ever wondered what happens when police break the rules to get evidence? Improperly obtained evidence occurs when prosecution uses dishonest or illegal methods, like searching without a warrant or using torture for confessions.
Judges have the power to exclude dodgy evidence under common law and the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE). They'll weigh up whether the evidence helps discover the truth against whether it makes the trial unfair.
Entrapment is another form of improper evidence gathering - think honey traps or police deception to make someone commit a crime. The Colin Stagg case is a famous example where this backfired spectacularly.
Key Point: If evidence's probative value (how useful it is) outweighs its prejudicial effect (how unfair it is), judges will usually allow it.
