Legal Definitions - connecting-up doctrine

The connecting-up doctrine is a rule that allows evidence to be conditionally admitted if the offering party promises to show relevance by adducing other evidence.

For example, if a witness testifies that they saw a defendant at the scene of a crime, but there is no other evidence linking the defendant to the crime, the connecting-up doctrine may allow the prosecution to introduce additional evidence to connect the defendant to the crime.

Another example could be a situation where a defendant is accused of stealing a car. The prosecution may introduce evidence that the defendant was in possession of the car keys, but without any other evidence, this may not be enough to prove that the defendant stole the car. The connecting-up doctrine may allow the prosecution to introduce additional evidence, such as witness testimony or surveillance footage, to connect the defendant to the theft.

The connecting-up doctrine is important because it allows for a more complete presentation of evidence, which can help ensure that the truth is revealed in a court case.