What is the general evidence rule relating to the admissibility of opinions of lay witnesses in a criminal case? Explain the rationale for this rule.

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The Answer is The general evidence rule relating to the admissibility of opinions of lay witnesses in a criminal case is that lay witnesses are typically not allowed to give opinions or draw conclusions in their testimony. Instead, they are expected to testify about facts that they observed or experienced firsthand.

The rationale for this rule is based on the idea that lay witnesses are not considered experts and therefore their opinions may not be based on sufficient knowledge or experience to be reliable. Allowing lay witnesses to give opinions could potentially confuse the jury and lead to the introduction of speculative or prejudicial information.

In criminal cases, the focus is on presenting factual evidence that can be objectively evaluated by the jury. Allowing lay witnesses to give opinions could undermine the fairness and reliability of the trial process. Therefore, the general rule is to limit lay witnesses to testifying about what they personally observed or experienced, rather than offering their opinions or conclusions.

What Is the General Evidence Rule Relating to the Admissibility