best evidence rule
Defined in 1 dictionary — Case Law
Definitions from Case Law
From 39 U.S. 430 - United States v. Wood · 1840Most cited · 209 citing opinions
What is the best evidence in respect to its quality, as distinguished from quantity or measure; it being in the former sense that the best evidence is required? It is, that secondary or inferior evidence shall not be substituted for evidence of a higher nature, which the case admits of. The reason of the rule is, that an attempt to substitute the inferior for the higher, implies that the higher would give a different aspect to the case of the party introducing the lesser.