Circumstantial Evidence Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Circumstantial Evidence.

Circumstantial Evidence (noun)

Circumstantial evidence is information in a court case that is not directly observed, but rather inferred from other proven facts and situations. It provides indirect proof of a relevant fact, such as the defendant's guilt or innocence. Examples could include a phone call made around the time of an incident, footprints at the crime scene, or finding a suspect's property at the location of the crime. Though not direct eyewitness testimony, such factors can suggest a specific conclusion about a case.