Inference Law and Legal Definition
The term inference means “to gather in”. Inference refers to the reasoning involved in arriving at a conclusion on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on direct or explicit statement. It is a conclusion based on facts or circumstances by applying reason. In logic, inference refers to the process of gathering data from various sources, and then subsequently drawing conclusions on the basis of evidence. Here, such conclusions are arrived by applying clues of logic and statistics to the gathered data.
Inference are of two types. They are:
(1)reasonable inference that suggests a like possibility ; and
(2)necessary inference that suggests the inference as irresistible.
The following is an example of a state statute (California) defining the term inference:
According to Cal Evid Code § 600 (b), inference is a deduction of fact that may logically and reasonably be drawn from another fact or group of facts found or otherwise established in the action.
