Admission Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Admission, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Admission?

n. an admission is a statement by an adverse party which can be admitted into evidence over a hearsay objection. In general, an adverse party is a party against whom judgment is sought. Hence an admission support the position of the other side or diminish the party’s own position. Also in order to save expenses as to mere formal proofs, the attorneys on each side consent to admit, reciprocally, certain facts in the cause without calling for proof of them.

History and Meaning of Admission

An admission is a significant concept in law, meaning it is a statement made by a party in a legal case that is against their interests. This statement can be a statement of fact or a statement of guilt, and it can be used as evidence against them in the trial. Admissions can be made verbally, in writing or through conduct, and can be entered into evidence by the opposing party.

In general, admissions are made in order to avoid the expense of formal proofs or to provide information that supports the other side's position.

Examples of Admission

  1. A person is accused of embezzlement, and in a conversation with a friend, they say, "I took the money." This is an admission of guilt and can be used as evidence against them in court.

  2. In a car accident case, one of the drivers admits to the other driver that they were texting while driving. This admission can be used as evidence to prove that the driver was at fault.

  3. During a deposition, a witness was asked if they had seen an event and they replied, "Yes, I was there." This is an admission of factual statements and will be recorded for future use during the trial.

  4. During a business transaction, a party admits to not providing a product or service according to the agreed-upon terms. This admission can be used as evidence to support the other party's claim.

Legal Terms Similar to Admission

  1. Confession: A confession is an admission of guilt, often given to police in criminal investigations.

  2. Testimony: Testimony is a sworn statement made in court, whether verbally or in writing, by a witness who has pledged to tell the truth.

  3. Declaration: A declaration is a written statement made by a person, under oath, stating the facts of a case or their beliefs or opinions about an issue.