Spoliation of evidence is defined as what?

Spoliation of evidence refers specifically to the wrongful destruction or alteration of evidence that is relevant to a legal proceeding. This concept implies that when evidence is intentionally destroyed or tampered with, it can undermine the integrity of the judicial process, potentially affecting the outcome of a case. The law holds that parties involved in litigation have a duty to preserve evidence that could be pertinent to the matter at hand. If spoliation occurs, courts may impose sanctions on the party responsible, which may include adverse inference instructions to juries or even dismissal of claims.

The other options, while related to various forms of mishandling or mismanagement of evidence, do not encapsulate the legal definition of spoliation. Concealment of evidence suggests hiding evidence but does not specifically cover the act of destruction or alteration. Failure to disclose witness information pertains to different legal obligations concerning witness management and does not correlate with the physical handling of evidence. Improper storage of legal documents, while potentially problematic, does not encompass the intentional act of destructively altering evidence. Thus, the focus on wrongful destruction or alteration solidifies option C as the correct representation of spoliation of evidence in the context of legal standards.