People v. Purtell

One of the most difficult problems which . confronts appellate courts in reviewing criminal cases tried before a jury is to determine when a wrong ruling regarding the admission or rejection of evidence requires a reversal of the judgment of conviction. Every error is not fatal. Section 542 of our Code of Criminal Procedure provides that after hearing an appeal the court must give judgment without regard to technical errors or defects or exceptions which do not affect the substantial rights of the parties. Whether an error has such an. effect necessarily depends upon the nature of the case…