1982 Quote by H.C. Nicholas
““Plainly it is not every error made by a witness which affects his credibility. In each case the trier of fact has to make an evaluation; taking into account such matters as the nature of the contradictions, their number and importance, and their bearing on other parts of the witness's evidence.””
About This Quote
Source Legal Text: Evidence Law Treatise, 1923
A witness’s credibility is assessed by the fact-finder, considering contradictions, their number, importance, and overall impact on the testimony.
In simple terms: Credibility judgments weigh contradictions and their significance.
Key Takeaway
Evaluate witness statements holistically.
Themes
law
evidence
credibility
judgment
Mood
formal
methodical
objective
Type
judicial
educational
When to use this quote
- court trials
- legal education
- jury deliberations
- investigations
Key Concepts
Legal standards
critical analysis
probative value
Questions to Reflect On
- What factors should outweigh minor contradictions?
- How can jurors avoid bias when assessing credibility?
A Different Perspective
Credibility can be undermined by minor inconsistencies, but context matters.
![“Evidence doesn't always convince people of the truth, [...] especially when the lie is what they prefer.” quote by Daniel Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/768/daniel-black-30292_evidence_evidence-doesn-t-always-convince-people_426401.jpg)
