What do rules of evidence primarily determine?

The rules of evidence primarily determine if evidence presented in a legal proceeding is pertinent and proper. These rules establish what types of evidence are admissible in court, guiding judges on whether to allow certain testimony, documents, or other materials to be considered during a trial. An essential aspect of these rules concerns the relevance of evidence to the case at hand, ensuring that only information directly related to the legal matters being adjudicated is presented. This helps maintain the integrity of the judicial process by allowing only reliable and relevant information to influence the outcome of the case.

In contrast, the representation of clients, the scheduling of court hearings, and the qualifications of expert witnesses are governed by different legal standards and procedures. These areas, while important to the functioning of the legal system, do not fall under the same framework that dictates which evidence can be introduced or how it can be used during a trial.