Evidence Flashcards
First character evidence rule
Evidence of a person’s character is not admissible for the purpose of proving action in conformity therewith
Is evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts admissible?
Not to show character, but to show MIMIC
Can you make an argument to the jury based on facts not in evidence?
No, unless it’s reasonably inferable from the evidence.
What do exhibits and testimony need to have before they can be admitted in evidence?
Necessary foundations established
How can you make a writing/conversation admissible at trial?
You must authenticate it
Best evidence rule can only be raised if…?
there is a dispute about authenticity or accuracy
Who can the credibility of a witness be attacked by?
any party, including the party calling the witness
List six impeachment reasons:
- MIMIC
- prior convictions
- prior bad acts
- PIS
- contradictory facts
- bad reputation for truth
Is extrinsic evidence permitted when impeaching for bad acts?
no
How can you impeach bad acts?
only by cross and you cannot refer to any consequences
Can you inquire about a witness’s arrest?
no
You ask a witness whether they embezzled money from their employer. Allowed?
Yes. Prior bad acts impeachment
You ask a witness whether they were arrested for embezzlement?
No, cannot inquire about past arrests.
Witness gives favorable testimony for D. On
cross, you ask W whether she
assaulted her mail carrier 2 years ago (no charges were
ever brought). Objectionable
Yes, objectionable. Bad act of violence, not truthfulness.
After W testifies for D, you ask W whether she made false statements in an application for food stamps in July 2010 (no charges were ever brought). Objectionable?
no. admissible because about truthfulness
After W testifies for D, you ask W whether she made false statements in an application for food stamps in July 2010 (no charges were ever brought). W denies making false statements in the application. You call a welfare agent to prove W made false statements. Objectionable?
Yes. That is extrinsic evidence. Can’t do that.
What is a hearsay declarant?
The person who made the statement outside of court for the truth of the matter asserted.
Can you attack the credibility of a hearsay declarant unavailable in trial?
Yes. The hearsay declarant can be impeached by any of the impeachment methods and they do not need to be given the opportunity to explain or deny a PIS.
Jake is on trial for murder. In hospital bed, V told the nurse, “I’m feeling pretty good considering Billy Ray tried to kill me.” The next day, V told a visitor, “I know I’m about to die. Jake’s the one who shot me.” ADA introduces V’s statement to the visitor as a dying declaration. Should Jake be allowed to introduce V’s statement to the nurse?
Yes. V is a hearsay declarant. You can introduce the statement about Billy Ray to attack the credibility of the other statement about Jake being the one who shot.
How do you impeach bad character for truthfulness?
- reputation
- prior convictions
- prior bad acts
Two situations to rehabilitate with PCS?
- when testimony of W was attacked as them lying for motive
- impeached on grounds of inconsistency or faulty memory
Can a PCS be admissible as substantive evidence?
Yes.
Tom struck by car Nicole drove. Penny, a stranger, witnessed it and told police that Tom looked sober as he crossed the street. At trial, Penny testifies for Tom and repeats that statement. On cross, Penny is asked whether she has memory problems due to medication. She says no. How do you rehabilitate?
You ask if she gave a statement to police on the day of the incident.
Tom struck by car Nicole drove. Penny, a stranger, witnessed it and told police that Tom looked sober as he crossed the street. At trial, Penny testifies for Tom and repeats that statement. On cross, Penny is asked, “Isn’t it a fact that after this incident, you and Tom became lovers.” How do you rehabilitate?
You ask that on the day of the accident, you weren’t lovers. And you ask if she gave a statement to the police on the day of the accident.
Can you introduce a prior statement by the witness that is consistent with their testimony?
No. That is bolstering the testimony of your witness. Can’t do that.
Is a prior identification impeachment or substantive?
could be both
- impeachment to bolster in-court testimony (one of the few exceptions)
- substantive to show ID was correct