Prima facie

Prima facie Latin expression meaning "at a first sight", used in Englilsh and American law to denote evidence that on its own is sufficient to establish the fact in question, or at least a presumption of it, unless rebutted by other evidence.

If you are found standing over a dead gunshot victim with a smoking gun in your hand, that is considered prima facie evidence that a murder has taken place and you should be charged with it. On your trial, you may be found not guilty, but that does not change the prima facie evidence against you.

See also: List of Latin phrases