An affidavit is not evidence unless it is used for what purpose?

An affidavit is not evidence unless it is used for what purpose?

• A. Presenting new facts
• B. Impeaching a witness
• C. Refreshing a recollection
• D. Supporting a verdict

Answer: (B)

Affidavits carry weight mainly when used to test a witness’s truthfulness. A sworn written statement isn’t automatically evidence of the facts it contains; its value comes from how it’s used. The strongest, most common use is to impeach a witness by showing that their trial testimony conflicts with what they previously swore in the affidavit. That inconsistency helps the court judge credibility, so the affidavit is admissible as evidence in that context. If the affidavit is used merely to refresh a witness’s memory, or to present new facts as proof, it doesn’t serve as evidence of those facts in the same way. So the purpose that makes an affidavit function as evidence is to impeach a witness, which is why that option is correct.

Affidavits carry weight mainly when used to test a witness’s truthfulness. A sworn written statement isn’t automatically evidence of the facts it contains; its value comes from how it’s used. The strongest, most common use is to impeach a witness by showing that their trial testimony conflicts with what they previously swore in the affidavit. That inconsistency helps the court judge credibility, so the affidavit is admissible as evidence in that context. If the affidavit is used merely to refresh a witness’s memory, or to present new facts as proof, it doesn’t serve as evidence of those facts in the same way. So the purpose that makes an affidavit function as evidence is to impeach a witness, which is why that option is correct.