state's evidence
noun
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.
evidence for the state, especially in criminal trials.
Origin of state's evidence
First recorded in 1790–1800
Words nearby state's evidence
state tree,
state trooper,
state university,
state visit,
state's attorney,
state's evidence,
state-dependent learning,
statecraft,
stated,
stated case,
statehood
British Dictionary definitions for state's evidence
state's evidence
noun (in the US)
the evidence for the prosecution given on behalf of a state in a criminal prosecution
evidence given for the state by an accomplice against his former associates in crime (esp in the phrase turn state's evidence)
Brit equivalent: king's evidence, queen's evidence