Business records play a significant role in modern criminal prosecutions. Cell phone records, hospital files, banking documents, travel histories, and electronic databases are frequently relied upon as evidence.

In criminal trials, hearsay evidence is generally not allowed. This means that statements made outside of court cannot usually be used to prove the truth of what was said. However, there are important exceptions—and one of the most significant is the “state of mind” exception. This exception allows certain out-of-court statements to be admitted where they reflect a person’s thoughts, intentions, emotions, or beliefs at the time they were made. In the right circumstances, thos

The Crown may only seek to re-open its case after it has closed its evidence and before a verdict is rendered.