Which type of evidence presents facts without inference?

Direct evidence is the type of evidence that presents facts straightforwardly, without requiring any inference or interpretation. This kind of evidence directly supports the truth of an assertion, allowing the court or audience to understand the facts clearly.

For instance, if a witness testifies that they saw a defendant commit a crime, that statement is considered direct evidence because it is a direct observation of fact. It doesn’t require the listener to make any assumptions or draw conclusions beyond the witness’s account.

In contrast, other types of evidence, such as indirect evidence, require the audience to make inferences. For example, if a person is seen fleeing the scene of a crime, while that behavior may suggest guilt, it does not definitively prove that the person committed the crime – this is where inference plays a role. Immaterial evidence is not relevant to the case at hand, and secondary evidence typically involves a copy or substitute of the original document or evidence, again moving away from the direct presentation of fact.