Evidence Flashcards
What is veracity?
The disposition of a person to refrain from lying
What are the six objectives set out in section 6 of the evidence act 2006?
A. Application of logical rules
B. Rules of evidence
C. Fairness
D. Confidentiality
E. Avoiding unjustifiable cost & delay
F. Enhancing access to the law of evidence
What’s the fundamental condition for the admissibility of evidence
Evidence that is not relevant will not be admissible
What does section 8 of the evidence act 2006 set out
The intention of section 8 is to help a judge manage the length of a trial and to ensure fairness of the proceeding
In section 9 of the evidence act 2006 admission by agreement what does this mean in practise ?
Prosecution and defence can agree to admit facts so they do not need to be proved.
The judge still has to ensure that the trial is fair
What is the Walmington principal
The woolmington principle is that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution
What is the standard of proof required on the prosecution
Beyond reasonable doubt
What is the standard of proof required from the defence
The balance of probabilities
What is reasonable doubt
Reasonable doubt as an honest and reasonable uncertainty
What is meant by the balance of probabilities
More probable than not
What is a child complainant
The complainant who is child under the age of 18 years when the proceeding commences
How to witnesses under the age of 12 give evidence
They must be informed by the judge of the importance of telling the truth and not telling lies and they must promise to tell the truth before giving evidence
What does section 107 of the criminal procedure act 2011 allow?
The defence may call a witness immediately after a prosecution witness
What is the four step regime of the criminal disclosure act 2008
Initial disclosure by the prosecution
Full disclosure by the prosecution
Defence disclosure
Third party disclosure
In relation to the criminal disclosure act 2008 what is the meaning of relevant
Information or an exhibit that tends to support or rebut or has a material bearing on the case against the defendant
What are the two exceptions to the prohibition on previous consistent statements
To respond to a challenge to the witnesses Voracity or accuracy
What are the three ways in which a witness may be deemed as hostile
They exhibit a lack of voracity giving unfavourable evidence
They give evidence is inconsistent with the statement previously made with an intention to be unhelpful
Refuses to answer questions or deliberately withholds evidence
What are the two purposes of cross-examination
To elicit information supporting the case
To challenge the accuracy of the testimony given in evidence in chief
What for factors a present for the duty to cross-examine
The topic of cross-examination is a significant matter
The matter is relevant and in issue
The matter contradicts the evidence of a witness
The witness must reasonably be expected to be in a position to give admissible evidence on the matter
When is an associated defendant compellable to give evidence for both the crown and defence
Where the associated defendant has been tried separately or where the proceeding against the associated defendant has been determined
Is marital privilege allowed
No
What’s propensity
The tendency to act in a particular way
What must the probative value of propensity evidence have
The probative value must outweigh the risk of an unfairly prejudicial effect
Define hearsay evidence
Statement that was made by a person other than a witness and is offered in evidence at the proceeding to prove the truth of its contents