Legal Definitions - corroborating evidence

Definition: Corroborating evidence is evidence that supports or confirms existing evidence. It is often used in court to strengthen the testimony of a witness.

For example, in California, there is a law that says a conviction cannot be based solely on the testimony of an accomplice. There must be corroborating evidence that connects the defendant to the crime. This evidence can be circumstantial, meaning it doesn't directly prove the defendant's guilt, but it does support the accomplice's testimony.

One example of corroborating evidence could be security camera footage that shows the defendant at the scene of the crime. This would support the testimony of the accomplice who said the defendant was there.

Another example could be DNA evidence that links the defendant to the crime. This would support the testimony of a witness who saw the defendant at the scene.

Overall, corroborating evidence is important because it helps to strengthen the case against a defendant and can help to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.