THE CONCEPT AND ESSENCE OF EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS

Abstract

The article explores the concept of evidence in criminal proceedings and key doctrinal approaches to its definition. Evidence is defined as information about facts that gains legal force only when lawfully obtained and properly formalized. The author highlights the distinction between fact, information, and evidence, emphasizing the indirect nature of criminal procedural cognition. It is concluded that evidence represents a unity of factual content and procedural form, ensuring lawful and well-grounded decisions.