Prejudicial Evidence

Evidence that is generally admissible will often be suppressed if the court determines that it is so prejudicial to the defendant that the outcome of the trial will be improperly influenced. Of course, any relevant evidence tending to show the defendant is guilty is inherently prejudicial. However, in a criminal trial, the meaning of "prejudicial evidence" goes to whether a jury will be so swayed that it will convict on emotion rather than proof. For example, the defendant's racism and bigotry is not admissible where race plays no part in the crime. The judge may hear and see all the evidence, even evidence that may be prejudicial, since she is expected to ignore its prejudicial character.