Determining Whether Evidence Is Relevant In New Jersey

In New Jersey, we have a broad test of relevancy. State v. Deatore, 70 N.J. 100, 116, 358 A.2d 163 (1976). Evidence is relevant if it has "a tendency in reason to prove or disprove any fact of consequence to the determination of the action". N.J.R.E. 401. In determining whether evidence is relevant, the inquiry should focus upon the logical connection between the proffered evidence and a fact in issue. State v. Hutchins, 241 N.J. Super. 353, 358, 575 A.2d 35 (App.Div.1990). If the evidence offered renders the desired inference more probable than it would be without the evidence, it is relevant. State v. Davis, 96 N.J. 611, 619, 477 A.2d 308 (1984); State v. Coruzzi, 189 N.J. Super. 273, 302, 460 A.2d 120 (App.Div.), certif. denied, 94 N.J. 531, 468 A.2d 185 (1983). A jury may draw an inference from a fact whenever it is more probable than not that the inference is true. State v. Brown, 80 N.J. 587, 592, 404 A.2d 1111 (1979); State v. Smith, 210 N.J. Super. 43, 49, 509 A.2d 206 (App.Div.), certif. denied, 105 N.J. 582, 523 A.2d 210 (1986). If the evidence offered makes the inference to be drawn more logical, the evidence should be admitted unless otherwise excludable by law. State v. Covell, 157 N.J. 554, 565, 725 A.2d 675 (1999). The evidence need not by itself support or prove the fact in issue. State v. Coruzzi, supra, 189 N.J. Super. at 302, 460 A.2d 120. Moreover, the veracity of each inference need not be established beyond a reasonable doubt in order for the jury to draw the inference. State v. Brown, supra, 80 N.J. at 592, 404 A.2d 1111; State v. Smith, supra, 210 N.J. Super. at 49, 509 A.2d 206. Finally, circumstantial evidence need not preclude every other hypothesis in order to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Mayberry, 52 N.J. 413, 436, 245 A.2d 481 (1968), cert. denied, 393 U.S. 1043, 89 S. Ct. 673, 21 L. Ed. 2d 593 (1969); State v. Smith, supra, 210 N.J. Super. at 49, 509 A.2d 206.