Which term refers to a statement used for supporting evidence in a legal context?

The term that refers to a statement used for supporting evidence in a legal context is testimony. Testimony is given by witnesses during legal proceedings, such as trials or hearings, and serves as a declaration of what one has observed, experienced, or knows regarding the case at hand. It plays a crucial role in establishing facts and supporting arguments presented by attorneys.

In a legal setting, testimony can take many forms, including oral statements made in court or written accounts provided in depositions. The reliability and credibility of testimony are often assessed by the court to determine its weight in influencing the outcome of a case.

While the other terms have specific meanings within legal contexts, they do not specifically denote statements used as evidence. An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath, used as evidence, but it is different from testimony, which is typically verbal. Arguments refer to a set of reasoned assertions made to persuade, while claims can be any assertion made, often needing further supporting evidence. Thus, testimony stands out as the term that directly aligns with the question about supporting evidence in a legal context.