CA Evidence Flashcards
In determining relevance the court must balance the probative value of the evidence against its _______________
Prejudicial effect
When is lay opinion admissible?
When a lay witness properly testifies as to their opinion about the condition of a person
Can plaintiff offer proof that defendant offered to pay medical expenses?
Under CEC Both the offer to pay and the admission of the fact is inadmissible to prove liabilty
Hearsay is…?
An out of court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted
Hearsay Exception
What is an admission by a party-opponent?
Admission by a party opponent : an out of court statement by a party that is against the party’s interest and that is admissible against the party
Under the FRE, what is the Principal-Agent hearsay exception?
Statements by an agent concerning any matter within the scope of her agency are not hearsay and are admissible against the principle.
Hearsay Exception
What is the “statement against interest” exception?
Statement against interest is admissible where generally the content of the statement is so prejudicial to the person making it that he would not have made the statement unless he believed the statement was true
Hearsay Exception
What is Excited Utterance?
A statement made during or soon after a startling event while under the stress of excitement
Hearsay Exception
What is Present Sense Impression?
A statement describing or explaining an event or condition made while the declarant was perceiving the event or condition, or immediately thereafter.
What is the general rule regarding admissibility of character evidence in civil cases?
Generally not admissible.
prior convictions are character evidence in the form of a specific act and not admissible in civil cases
Under the CEC & FRE, wen are felony convictions admissible?
admissible to impeach a wittness
Hearsay Exception:
What is a dying declaration?
A statement made by an unavailable declarant who believes death is imminent concerning the cause or circumstance of impending death.
FRE = homicide or civil action CEC: = any kind of case where relevant to know what killed the declarant
Hearsay Exception:
What is the Past Bodily Condition exception?
Statements of past pain, suffering, or medical history including the external cause thereof, made for the purposes of treatment or diagnosis by physician are admissible.
Any other purpose is inadmissible.
In Cali this is only admissible for the declarant is unavailable. And can only be used as evidence of the declarant’s past bodily condition when that itself is at issue
When is the physician-Patient privilege no longer applicable?
- When treatment is questioned
- When addressing statements made to a non medical matter. e.g. patient provides details as to how accident occured
- When the holder of the privilege is dead.
What is Proposition 8?
Proposition 8 is part of the California Constitution and applies to criminal cases.
Under Prop 8 all relevant evidence is admissible unless the evidence falls with an exception
What is the California Spousal Immunity Privilege?
A. one spouse cannot be compelled to testify against the other spouse in any criminal or civil proceeding.
B. Only Witness-Spouse may invoke spousal immunity
C. Can only be claimed during marriage and covers info learned before & during marriage
What is the California confidential marital communications privilege?
Communications made in reliance upon the intimacy of the marital relationship are privileged in both civil & criminal proceedigns.
- Both spouses hold the privilege
- Survives the marriage and covers convo’s made during marriage
Hearsay Exception
What is co-conspirator admissions?
Statements by a co-conspirator in a crime are admissible against a party, as if the party had made the statements herself
What is marital communication privilege?
Under CEC communication made in reliance upon intimacy of the marital relationship are privilege in both civil and criminal cases.
Both spouses hold the privilege . This privilege survives the marriage
What is Logical Relevance?
Under CEC evidence is logically relevant if it tends to prove or disprove a material fact in dispute.
What is California Evidence Code (CEC) 352?
Under CEC 352, a trial judge has discretion to exclude evidence if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of issues, misleading the jury, undue delay or waste of time.
Hearsay Exception
What is an “admission by party opponent”?
an admission is a statement made or act that amounts to a prior acknowledgement of a relevant fact.
The statement need not be against interest.
Hearsay Exception
What is a dying declaration?
Statement made while a declarant was under a settled expectation of impending death (wheather or not she actually died) about the cause or circumstances that gave rise to the expectation.
Cali: the declarant must be dead!
Hearsay Exception
What is a statement against interest?
A statement of a person, now unavailable as a witness and who had personal knowledge for the facts.
The statement goes against the persons pecuniary, proprietary, or penal interest when made.
Collateral facts contained in the statement are also admissible
What is a co-Conspirator Admissions?
Admissions of one conspirator made to a 3rd party in furtherance of a conspiracy to commit a crime or civil wrong at a time when the declarant was participating in the conspiracy, is admissible against co-conspirators. (must have opportunity to cross-examine)
What is the rule when it comes to Personal Knowledge/Speculation?
A witness must have personal knowledge as to what he/she testifies to.
A witness may not speculate answers
What is proposition 8 in Relation to California Evidence?
Prop 8 is part of the California Constitution. Under Prop 8, all relevant evidence is admissible in criminal cases unless the evidence falls within an exception.
Prop 8 preserves judicial discretion to exclude evidence that would be admissible
Hearsay Exception
What is the business record exception?
Writings made in the regular course of business at or near the time of the event by one who is under a duty to record such information is admissible
What is the Best Evidence Rule?
The original writing must be produced
Copies are o.k., as long as certified.
What is Proposition 8 rule on the use of character evidence?
Not allowed to initiate the use of character evidence to prove defendant’s conduct on the occasion in question.
What is vicarious admission?
Non hearsay
Statement of an agent or employee made during the existence of the relationship and concerning a matter within the scope of employment.
CA: only if negligence exposes employer to respondent superior
What is the rule on putting liability insurance into evidence?
Evidence that a person was insured against liability in inadmissible to prove whether the person acted negligently.
Such a law would prevent people from carrying insurance
liability insurance is admissible to show ownership.
What is I wanted to show that defendant offered to pay for medical expenses in a P.I. case?
Under CEC both the offer to pay and the admission of fact is inadmissible to prove liability