Admissability, Appeal, and objections Flashcards
Rule 402. General Admissibility of Evidence.
Evidence is admissible UNLESS there is a reasonable reason why it can’t be
(a rule)
With facts, you only can bring up a fact when it is…. to the case
relevant
The rules act as a ____ to the courthouse
filter
Who can appeal a judgement?
Anyone, except the prosecution in a criminal case
When evidence is let into court, it first goes to ____ then ____
wait, then admissibility
In wait, the court decides
if the evidence is believable
Who can appeal a judgement?
Anyone but the government in criminal cases.
Preliminary facts
facts that must be proved to make evidence admissible
Rule 103. Rulings on Evidence
Preserving a Claim of Error
3 requirements to appeal a courts error in appealing evidence law
- Preserve issue for appeal
- Persuade the appellate court that the Trial Court made an error in admitting that or excluding evidence
- Convince the appellate court that the error affected a substantial right of the party
Rule 103(a) Rulings on Evidence:
What to do if a claim is erroneously admitted into evidence
2 points
- make a timely objection to the evidence on record and
- state the specific ground for objections
the rule for not stating the specific ground for an objection if
the ground is apparent from context
“timely objection”
- stated as soon as the basis for objection is clear.
-Preferably after the question is asked and before the answer was given. - but if answer given too fast, immediately after the question
When claiming that the court erroneously excluded evidence, the party must give
an “offer of proof” to the trial court
When claiming that the court erroneously excluded evidence, the party must make an offer of proof. This requirement is excluded if
the substance of the excluded evidence is apparent from the context
an offer of proof is needed when claiming that a court erroneously excluded evidence because it
makes a record of what the excluded evidence would have been
When claiming that the court erroneously excluded evidence, the party must make an offer of proof. This requirement allows what two things
- The court to fix their ruling
- the Appellate court to determine if the trial court actually made an error
An exception of the “offer of proof” is the doctrine of
Plain error (rule 103(e))
Doctrine of plain error (rule 103(e))
The error is so obvious that it shouldn’t be needed to alert the trial court to the problem
When the Appellate court reviews an error claim and reverse the matter if…
the error affected a substantial right of the party
an error that affected a substantial right of the party, typically means
the error substantially swayed the jury in rendering its verdict or had a material effect on the verdict
When deciding to object: what three things should you know?
- Objectional
- Why objectional
- The tactical reason why, strategically.
2 ways to object in court without having the jury hear
- sidebar
- remove the jury from the room through commondeering witness?