(405) 231-5600
Contact Us
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
  • Reviews
  • About
    • About The Firm
    • John Hunsucker
    • Douglas Baxter
    • Robert McMaster
  • Case Results
  • Payment Plans
  • Practice Areas
    • DUI
    • Drug Crimes
    • Assault & Battery
    • Domestic Violence
    • Homicide Crimes
    • Property Crimes
    • Weapons Offenses
    • Other Offenses
  • FAQs
  • Helpful Videos
  • Expungement
    • Expungement FAQs
  • Contact

What Is Circumstantial Evidence in Oklahoma?

Home FAQs What Is Circumstantial Evidence in Oklahoma?

What Is Circumstantial Evidence?

In an Oklahoma criminal case, most evidence can be classified under one of two categories: direct and indirect. Indirect evidence is also referred to as circumstantial evidence.

  • Indirect or circumstantial evidence requires an inference or presumption in order to prove a particular fact
  • Direct evidence proves the fact directly, with no inference necessary

Example

Say, for example, the prosecution is trying to prove that Carl committed assault and battery against John. The prosecution’s star witness, Bill, gives testimony that he saw Carl run at John, tackle him to the ground and beat him with his fists in the face. In this instance, Bill’s testimony is considered direct evidence.

On the other hand, if Bill testifies that he witnessed Carl and John having a verbal altercation in which Carl threatened to beat up John, then watched the two walk out into the backyard, heard scuffling and shouting and then saw John walk back into the house with a bloody face and Carl with blood-covered fists, it could be inferred that Carl assaulted and battered John. Bill’s testimony in this case would be considered indirect or circumstantial evidence, because he didn’t actually witness the alleged act.

Weighing Indirect and Direct Evidence

From a practical standpoint, there is little difference between indirect and direct evidence when it comes to trial. In either of the above scenarios, it would still be up to the jury to decide whether Bill’s testimony is credible enough to believe and, therefore, whether or not Carl is guilty of the accused crime.

As criminal defense attorneys, it is our job to evaluate all of the prosecution’s evidence against you, find the weakest points and vigorously attack them in court—regardless of whether that evidence is direct or circumstantial.

Free Case Evaluation




  • Reviews
  • About
    • About The Firm
    • John Hunsucker
    • Douglas Baxter
    • Robert McMaster
  • Case Results
  • Payment Plans
  • Practice Areas
    • DUI
    • Drug Crimes
    • Assault & Battery
    • Domestic Violence
    • Homicide Crimes
    • Property Crimes
    • Weapons Offenses
    • Other Offenses
  • FAQs
  • Helpful Videos
  • Expungement
    • Expungement FAQs
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • About
    • About The Team
    • John Hunsucker
    • Douglas Baxter
    • Robert McMaster
  • Practice Areas
    • DUI
      • Actual Physical Control
      • Driving Under the Influence
      • DWI
    • Drug Crimes
      • Cocaine Laws
      • Heroin Laws
      • Methamphetamine Laws
      • Drug Trafficking
      • Possession of Drug Proceeds
      • Drug Diversion and Alternatives to Jail For Women
      • Controlled Substances & Drug Schedules
      • Drug Trafficking vs. Distribution
      • Drug Possession Felony
      • Drug Possession on College Campus
      • Marijuana Laws
        • Marijuana Cultivation
        • Marijuana Paraphernalia Possession
        • Marijuana Possession
        • Possession with Intent to Distribute
        • Marijuana Trafficking
    • Assault and Battery
      • Against Emergency Medical Personnel
      • Against Law Enforcement
      • Aggravated Assault and Battery
      • Exploitation, Neglect and Abuse of Elderly
      • Dangerous or Deadly Weapon
      • Use of Force Justified
      • Threatening Violence
      • Other Assault and Battery Provisions
    • Domestic Violence
      • Domestic Abuse a Felony
      • Domestic Abuse Defined
      • Child Endangerment
      • Child Neglect
      • Child Abuse
    • Homicide Crimes
      • Manslaughter
      • Negligent Homicide
      • Justifiable Use of Deadly Force
      • Attempt or Intent to Kill
    • Property Crimes
      • Breaking and Entering
      • Burglary
      • Embezzlement
      • Fraud
      • Larceny
      • Receiving Stolen Property
      • Robbery
      • Shoplifting
      • White-Collar Crimes
      • Writing Bad Checks
      • Home Invasion
      • Vandalism and Malicious Mischief
    • Weapons Offenses
      • Gun Crimes
      • Carrying a Gun
      • Illegal Weapons Possession
      • Bombing, Manufacturing Bombs and Bomb Threats
    • Other Offenses
      • Acts of Terrorism and Terroristic Threats
      • Arson
      • College Campus Crimes
      • Hate Crimes
      • Harassment
      • Human Trafficking and Prostitution
      • Kidnapping Charges
      • Stalking
    • Sex Crimes
      • Sexual Assault
      • College Campus Sex Crimes
      • Sex Offender Registration
      • Internet and Computer Sex Crimes
  • FAQs
    • Court & Legal Procedures
      • Bail Hearings (Bond Hearing)
      • Probation Violations
      • Restraining Orders
      • Victim Protective Order
      • Veterans Diversion Programs & Alternatives to Jail
      • Search and Seizure Laws
      • Motion to Suppress Evidence
      • Criminal Charges and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
      • What Is Probable Cause in a Criminal Case?
      • What Is Reasonable Suspicion in a Criminal Case?
      • What Is Circumstantial Evidence?
  • Oklahoma Criminal Defense Helpful Videos
  • Blog
  • Contact

Hunsucker Legal Group

Arrested in Texas? Click Here

Pay Online Now

Contact Info

600 West Sheridan
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102
Phone: 405-231-5600
Email Us

About Us

Our Oklahoma City based law firm handles a wide variety of Oklahoma criminal charges. Learn More

© 2018-2023 Oklahoma-Criminal-Defense-Lawyer.com • All Rights Reserved.

  • Reviews
  • About
    • About The Firm
    • John Hunsucker
    • Douglas Baxter
    • Robert McMaster
  • Case Results
  • Payment Plans
  • Practice Areas
    • DUI
    • Drug Crimes
    • Assault & Battery
    • Domestic Violence
    • Homicide Crimes
    • Property Crimes
    • Weapons Offenses
    • Other Offenses
  • FAQs
  • Helpful Videos
  • Expungement
    • Expungement FAQs
  • Contact

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT THE ASSEMBLY AND OVERALL APPEARANCE OF THE CONTENT OF THIS WEBSITE AS WELL AS THE CONTENT ITSELF, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY AND ALL IMAGES, GRAPHICS, DESIGNS, SOFTWARE, AUDIO OR LOGOS CONTAINED ON THIS WEBSITE ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF THIS WEBSITE AND ARE FULLY PROTECTED BY U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAWS (FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE WWW.COPYRIGHT.GOV). PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ANY AND ALL UNAUTHORIZED USE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REPUBLICATION AND REPRODUCTION OF ANY CONTENT CONTAINED ON THE WEBSITE IS ILLEGAL AND PROHIBITED BY U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAWS. THE OWNERS OF THIS WEBSITE WILL SEEK PENALTIES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW AGAINST ANY INDIVIDUAL OR COMPANY WHO WITHOUT AUTHORITY USE THE CONTENT OF THIS WEBSITE.