Evidence Flashcards
Similar occurrences
Where evidence is admissible even though it involves a different place, time, event, or person not involved in litigation. Often used for complicated issues of causation.
Evidence that a person has filed similar tort claims or had prior accidents is generally:
inadmissible.
Exceptions to prior accident/claims rule 2
- When person has previously filed FALSE claims can be used to show common scheme or fraud
- where prior claim was for an injury to the same part of the body at issue in current case.
Rebuttal evidence
Allowable to rebut an impossibility
Comaprable sale to establish value: Sale prices admissible if: 3 KTP
- Same general description (kind)
- Same relevant time period (time)
- Same general geographic area (place)
Habit evidence is relevant to show:
that a person acted in the same way on the occasion in question.
What is habit? 2 descriptors
- Specific detailed conduct
2. Recurrence The language “always” “instinctively” “invariably” “automatically”
Business routine:
Habit evidence for businesses. “What have you been trained to do?”
Industrial or trade custom admissible as:
non-conclusive evidence on standard of care.
Liability insurance is not admissible to:
to show person acted negligently, wrongfully, or their ability to pay.
Liability insurance can be admitted in order to: 2 reasons.
- show ownership or control
2. impeach credibility of witness by showing interest or bias.
Subsequent remedial measures: Not admissible to show:
- Negligence
- Culpable conduct
But in GA subsequent remedial measures are admissible in a products liability case.
Subsequent remedial measures can be used to show:
- ownership or control
2. impeachment - feasibility of precautionary measures.
Settlements are not admissible to prove:
fault, liability or amount of damage.
Settlement exclusion includes what 5 things?
- Actual compromises
- Offers to compromise
- Offers to plead guilty in a criminal case
- Withdrawn pleas of guilty
- Please of nolo contendere
ANY ‘meaningful settlement talk’
For settlement exclusion to apply, what two things must be present?
- There must be a CLAIM.
2. The claim must be disputed as to either liability or amount
Offers to pay medical expenses
Not admissible - even though it’s not a settlement offer. UNLESS the offer accompanies a naked offer to pay hospital or medical expenses.
When is character evidence used? 3 situations
- Character is directly in issue
- As circumstantial evidence of a person’s conduct at the time of litigated event.
- To impeach the credibility of a witness.
When is character evidence in civil cases proper?
It’s generally not.
UNLESS the character of the party is itself a material issue in the case.(ex. defamation)
Sixth Amendment Right to Confrontation: Statements will not be admitted EVEN IF they fit a hearsay exception when they are offered against the accused in a criminal case if:
- Declarant is unavailable for trial, AND
- Statement was testimonial, AND
- Accused had no opportunity to cross.
When does D waive 6th Amendment Right to Confrontation?
When the prosecution demonstrates that D has intentionally prevented the declarant from testifying at trial because of D’s wrongdoing.
A testimonial statement is one that a:
reasonable declarant knows will be used in the prosecution or investigation of a crime. (Includes forensic lab reports on fingerprints, drugs, etc.)
5 Considerations in determining whether statements are testimonial
- Motive of declarant.
- Motive of interrogator
- Temporal element
- ID of person eliciting the statement (cop or family member?)
- Degree, amount, circumstances, and location of police interrogation.
Prior acts of misconduct admissible to show: (8)
Ok! I a Pimp!
Opportunity
Knowledge
Intent
Absence of mistake
Preparation
Identity
Motive
Plan