What does 'admissible' refer to in legal terms?

The term 'admissible' in legal contexts refers specifically to evidence that is relevant and appropriate for consideration in a court of law. This means that for evidence to be admissible, it must not only relate to the case at hand but also comply with certain legal standards that govern the nature and integrity of that evidence.

Relevance is a key component; evidence must have a direct connection to the facts of the case and contribute to establishing a point that is material to the dispute. Additionally, the evidence must not violate any rules of exclusion that might render it inadmissible, such as being obtained unlawfully or being prejudicial to the extent that it outweighs its probative value.

While evidence presented in court is important, simply being presented does not ensure its admissibility. The legal process includes various criteria to evaluate whether specific evidence meets these standards of relevance and appropriateness. Similarly, pleadings and witness testimonies are components of court proceedings but do not encompass the complete definition of what constitutes admissibility in terms of evidence.