In the context of legal proceedings, what does a trier of fact determine?

The trier of fact plays a crucial role in legal proceedings as the entity responsible for determining the outcome of the case based on the evidence presented. Typically, the trier of fact is either a judge or a jury, and their primary function is to evaluate the information provided during the trial and make a decision regarding liability or guilt.

In this context, the trier of fact will assess all aspects of the case, which include witness testimonies, physical evidence, and other relevant information. They create a narrative of what likely happened based on the evidence and make a final determination on the verdict, whether that be a decision of innocence or guilt in a criminal trial, or liability in a civil case.

The other options relate to essential aspects of the legal process, but they do not encapsulate the primary role of the trier of fact. Determining the law applicable to the case falls under the responsibilities of the judge, while evaluating the credibility of witnesses is part of the assessment that the trier of fact engages in to reach a verdict. Lastly, the admissibility of evidence is usually decided by the judge and is a procedural matter rather than a summative judgment about the case’s outcome.