Evidence is information, objects, or testimony presented in legal proceedings to establish or disprove facts relevant to a case. Types of evidence include testimonial evidence (what witnesses say under oath), documentary evidence (contracts, records, photos, videos), physical evidence (objects like weapons, clothing, or DNA samples), and demonstrative evidence (charts, diagrams, or models that help explain other evidence). Courts have rules governing what evidence is admissible—evidence must be relevant, reliable, and obtained legally. Some evidence is inadmissible: hearsay (what someone heard another person say) is generally excluded, as is evidence obtained through Charter violations (illegal searches). The burden of proof differs between criminal cases (beyond reasonable doubt) and civil cases (balance of probabilities). Understanding evidence is important for civic literacy, as court decisions depend on what can be proven with admissible evidence.