Understanding Falsus in Uno, Falsus in Omnibus: A Legal Insight
Definition & Meaning
The phrase "false in one thing, false in everything" refers to a legal principle that suggests if a witness lies about one aspect of their testimony, their entire credibility is questioned. This concept originates from Roman law and is often invoked in court to challenge the reliability of a witness's statements. Attorneys use this principle to discredit witnesses whose statements lack corroboration, which means there is no supporting evidence to back up their claims.
Legal Use & context
This maxim is commonly used in various legal contexts, including civil and criminal cases. It plays a crucial role in witness impeachment during trials, where attorneys aim to establish that a witness's lack of truthfulness undermines all their testimony. Understanding this principle can help individuals navigate legal proceedings more effectively, especially when preparing for court or evaluating the credibility of witnesses. Users can find legal templates on US Legal Forms to assist in drafting documents related to witness statements and court procedures.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
(Hypothetical example) In a criminal trial, a witness testifies that they saw the defendant at the scene of the crime. However, during cross-examination, it is revealed that the witness previously lied about their whereabouts on another occasion. The defense attorney can argue that due to the witness's dishonesty, their entire testimony should be considered unreliable.
(Hypothetical example) In a civil case regarding a contract dispute, a witness claims to have witnessed the signing of the contract. If it is shown that this witness has a history of providing false statements in other cases, the judge may disregard their testimony based on the principle of falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus.