Who decides whether evidence is presented at trial?

• A. The prosecutor
• B. The judge
• C. The defense
• D. The jury

Answer: (A)

In a criminal trial, the party presenting the case controls what evidence gets before the court. The prosecutor decides which witnesses to call and which exhibits to introduce in order to prove the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge’s role is to determine, on objections and under the rules of evidence, whether that evidence is admissible. The jury then weighs the admitted evidence to render a verdict. The defense can present its own evidence in response, but the initial decision about what evidence to present rests with the prosecution.