Similar Transaction Evidence Law and Legal Definition
Similar transaction evidence means proof of a distinct, independent, and separate offense admissible in a trial of a crime which has some logical connection with the current offense, from which it can be said that proof of the one tends to establish the other.
Similar transaction evidence is admissible if
(a) the evidence is admitted for a proper purpose;
(b) it is established that the defendant committed the separate offense; and
(c) there is sufficient similarity between the separate offense and the crime charged that proof of the former tends to prove the latter.
The appellate court reviews a trial court's decision to admit such evidence for abuse of discretion.
