§ 602 [Prima Facie Evidence as Rebuttable Presumption]

When a law says that certain facts count as "prima facie evidence" of something else, it means those facts create a rebuttable presumption. A rebuttable presumption is a legal starting point where the court assumes something is true based on the facts presented, but the other side can challenge it.

For example, if a law says that being caught with stolen goods is prima facie evidence that you stole them, the court will assume you stole them unless you can show proof otherwise. The presumption is not final. You have the chance to present your own evidence to overcome it.

This rule matters because it affects who has to prove what in court. If a presumption applies to your case, the burden shifts to you to disprove what the other side is claiming. Knowing this can help you understand why you may need to gather evidence to fight back against an assumption the court is already starting with.