What is the primary duty of the trier of fact?

The primary duty of the trier of fact is to determine the credibility of evidence. This role is essential in both civil and criminal trials, where the trier of fact—typically a jury or judge—evaluates the evidence presented during the trial. Their assessment includes deciding how believable the witnesses are, evaluating their testimonies, and assessing whether the evidence submitted supports the claims made by either party.

In practice, this means that the trier of fact interprets the evidence and considers how weighty or convincing it is in the context of the case. This function is pivotal because the outcome often hinges on the perceptions and conclusions the trier of fact draws from the evidence laid before them. The final ruling, while a critical aspect of the trial process, relies heavily on the credibility determinations made earlier in the proceedings, making the trier of fact's evaluation a foundational responsibility.