Can informal conference statements be used as primary evidence in a case?

Informal conference statements are not considered primary evidence in a case; rather, they are typically used for specific purposes, such as impeachment. This means that while these statements may not be directly admissible to prove a point in the case, they can be introduced to challenge the credibility of a witness if their later testimony contradicts what was said during the informal conference. The essence of informal conference statements lies in their informal and non-binding nature, which is why they don’t carry the same weight as primary evidence.

In contrast, primary evidence refers to original documents or actual items that directly prove a fact in question. Given this context, the understanding is that informal conference statements serve a more limited role within legal proceedings, primarily supporting the assessment of credibility rather than establishing factual assertions outright.