Louisiana Private Investigator Licensing Practice Exam

What term describes evidence that is sufficient to establish a fact unless it is disproven?

1. Substantial evidence

2. Prima facie

3. Corroborating evidence

4. Direct evidence

The correct answer is: Prima facie

The term that describes evidence that is sufficient to establish a fact unless it is disproven is 'prima facie.' This legal concept refers to evidence that, on its face, is adequate to support a conclusion or a claim. In other words, if a party presents prima facie evidence, it is assumed to be true until contradicted or disproven by opposing evidence. For example, if someone is accused of a crime and there is sufficient evidence to suggest they committed it, that evidence could be seen as prima facie supporting the accusation until the accused party presents counter-evidence to challenge it. Substantial evidence, by contrast, refers to a level of evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion, but it does not inherently possess the quality of being self-evident or requiring rebuttal as prima facie does. Corroborating evidence is supportive evidence that confirms or strengthens existing evidence but does not independently establish a fact by itself. Direct evidence provides direct proof of a fact, such as eyewitness testimony, but may not meet the criteria of being sufficient in all circumstances without the possibility of rebuttal as described by prima facie.