state's evidence

noun

1. evidence given by an accomplice in a crime who becomes a voluntary witness against the other defendants.

   The defendants' case was lost when one of them turned state's evidence.

2. evidence for the state, especially in criminal trials.

state's evidence

noun

1. the evidence for the prosecution given on behalf of a state in a criminal prosecution

2. Brit equivalent: king's evidence.  queen's evidence. evidence given for the state by an accomplice against his former associates in crime (esp in the phrase turn state's evidence )

Word History and Origins

Origin of state's evidence¹

First recorded in 1790–1800