If a Witness Is in Fear, Their Evidence Must Be

question 10

True/False

If a witness is in fear, their evidence must be admitted as hearsay. A court has a discretion to admit their evidence as hearsay, and may only do so where the statement ought to be admitted in the interests of justice, having regard to the factors set out in s.116(4) C.J.A. 2003.

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Definitions:

Escalation of Commitment

A psychological pattern where individuals or groups continue to invest in a decision despite facing increasingly negative outcomes or feedback.

Perceptual Biases

Cognitive biases that influence how we perceive and interpret information about people, objects, or events, often leading to distorted judgments.

Implicit Favorite

An unconscious bias or preference for a particular option or choice, not openly expressed or acknowledged.

Information Processing

The methods by which individuals or systems gather, store, process, and disseminate information.