New Rules of Evidence (From Police: Powers, Procedures and Proprieties, P 251-267, 1986, John Benyon and Colin Bourn, eds. - - See NCJ-158031)

• NCJ Number: 158054
• Author(s): J Smith
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: Pergamon Press Limited
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

Evidence provisions in England's Police and Criminal Evidence Act of 1984 are primarily based on the Eleventh Report of the Criminal Law Revision Committee.

Abstract

The act reforms certain rules of evidence, particularly the hearsay rule and rules related to documents and records, evidence admissibility, and witness impeachment. One section of the act specifically deals with computer records and provides guidance on the weight to be given to computer statements and information. The act provides for the proof of convictions and acquittals by certificate, regulates the admissibility of confessions, and gives courts the discretion to exclude unfair evidence. In addition, the act deals with the competence and compellability of an accused person's spouse when testifying in court and abolishes certain rules of privilege.