Evidence Flashcards
CEC Truth in evidence amendment (prop 8)
Makes all relevant evidence admissible in a criminal case, even if it is objectionable under the CEC
Exceptions:
CC still applies
Hearsay Law
Privilege Law
Limits on character evidece to prove victim’s conduct
secondary evidence rule (best evidence rule)
where unfair prejudice substantially outweighs probative value
Hearsay Exemptions
Not Hearsay but all are exceptions under CEC
Opposing party statement- (party admission)- statement by party, or its agent, offered by a party opponenet
- FRE: agent’s statement must be within the scope of employment
- CEC: agent’s statement only liable if agent’s negligence is basis for suit
Prior Inconsistent Statment given under oath (CEC does not require under oath)
Prior Consistent Statement prior to bribe or inconsistent statement
Statement of identification made after perceiving person
CEC 3 Step approach
- Raise all objections under CEC
- For each objection discuss if Prop 8 overrules
- Do an unfari prejudice substantially outweighed by probative value analysis if it seems admissible under Prop 8
Character Evidence of Victim’s Character
NO PROP 8
Generally, Defendant must open the door.
To prove Victim’s conduct:
FRE- opinion/reputation only on direct, all three on cross
CEC- all three always available
FRE Only exception for murder cases:
if defendant offers evidence that witness was initial agressor, the prosecution may offer evidence of witness’s peaceful character by any method
MIMIC
motive intent mistake (absence of) identity common scheme or plan
Specific instances can be used to prove anything other than character
Competency: who can testify?
- personal knowledge (perception)
- present recollection (memory)
- communication
- sincerity(oath/affirmation to tell the truth)
- CEC- witness must understand legal duty to tell truth
- CEC- witness who was hypnotized before trial to help refresh recollection disqualfied (except in a criminal case if they were hypnotized by police)
Expert Testimony
- Testimony must be helpful
- Expert must be qualified
- Witness must be reasonably certain
- Opinion must be supported by facts
- BAsed on reliable principles
FRE: need not show general acceptance, just peer reviewed and published, tested, low error rate, and reasonable level of acceptance:
CEC- principles must be generally accepted
RElevance
any tendancy to make existence of a fact or consequence more or less probable
CEC: and fact of consequence must be in dispute
discretion to exclude relevant evidence
if probative value is substantially outweighed by unfair prejudice, confusion, or waste of time
Policy reasons to exclude evidence and rules
Not admissible to prove culpability:
- evidence of liability insurance (FRE- not admissible to prove defective design in products liability case)
-evidence of subsequent remedial measures
- settlement negotiations (CEC includes discussions during mediation)
- offers to pay med expenses (FRE Related statements still admissible, CEC: all inadmissible)
CEC only: expressions of sympathy inadmissible, but admissions admissible
Habit Evidence
Admissible to show person acted in accordance with the habit: habit evidnce generally conveys no moral judgment
Methods of proving Character Evidence
- Specific acts
- Opinion
- Reputation
Not all are always admissible
Character Evidence in Civil Cases
- Character evidence is inadmissible to prove conduct (FRE) Exception: where civil claim is based on sexual assault or child molestation, then defendant’s prior acts are admissible)
- Admissible if Character is in issue, then can be proven with any method
- Defamation, negliglent entrustment; child custody, loss of consortium.
Character Evidence of Defendant’s Character to prove conduct in Criminal Cases
Prop 8 no effect***
1. Defendant must open door first (unless sex assault child molestation)
2. If D presents evidence of witness’s character:
FRE: broad, opens door for D’s relevant trait
CEC: narrow, only opens door if related to violence
3. Methods allowed:
FRE- direct exam: repuation/opinion only, on Cross- any method
CEC ONly rep/op allowed ever
Refreshing Recollection v. Recorded Recollection
Anything can be used to refresh (but witness must be able to look at it, and then testify without it, and it can be reviewd and offered into evidence by opposing counsel)
REcoreded recollection must meet hearsay exception:
- witness once had personal knowledge of facts
- document prepared/adopted by witness when fres in witenss’s mind
- Document was accurate when made
- Witness has insufficient recollection to testify as to the matters in the doc