Evidence Flashcards
When do the Federal Rules of Evidence not apply?
- When determining preliminary questions of fact regarding the admissibility of evidence;
- Grand jury proceedings;
- Preliminary examinations in criminal case;
- Sentencing, probation, and bail hearings;
- Summary contempt proceedings;
- For the issuance of warrants & criminal summons; and
- Extradition or rendition proceedings
In regards to evidence, what does the judge decide?
Preliminary questions about the competency of the evidence and whether:
- Evidence is admissible;
- Witnesses are qualified; and
- Privilege exists
⚠️ Note: Except for deciding whether privilege exists, the judge is not bound by the FRE when deciding preliminary questions
If a party believes evidence was erroneously admitted, how can the issue be preserved for appeal?
The party must, on the record:
- Timely object or move to strike; and
- State the specific ground, unless it was apparent from the context
Define
judicial notice
Used by the court to accept certain, indisputable adjudicative facts as true without formal presentation of the evidence.
More Info: Judicial Notice
What is the order of a trial?
- Plaintiff or prosecutor’s opening statement
- Plaintiff or prosecutor’s case-in-chief
- Defendant’s case
- Plaintiff or prosecutor’s rebuttal
- Defendant’s rejoinder (D’s rebuttal of P’s rebuttal)
- Closing arguments
- Instructions given to the jury
What is the scope of cross-examination?
- Subject matter of the direct examination;
- Matters affecting the witness’s credibility; and
- Additional matters if court so allows
⚠️ If questions exceed scope, can make an objection for “beyond the scope of direct”
When are leading questions permitted?
- Cross-examination (no restrictions);
-
Direct examination only if:
- Question is regarding undisputed preliminary matters (e.g. “You were born on April 5, 1989, correct?”)
- Witness is hostile;
- Witness is less competent (trouble communicating due to language barrier, age, etc)
- Witness needs help refreshing their memory (subject to judicial permission)
What types of questions are not allowed?
- Compound questions (requires multiple answers);
- Assumes facts not in evidence;
- Calls for conclusion or opinion (that witness is not qualified to make);
- Repetitive (already answered); and
- Argumentative (provokes argument instead of factual response)
What are common objections to witness questions?
- Beyond scope of direct;
- Leading;
- Assumes facts not in evidence;
- Argumentative;
- Compound;
- Calls for narrative; or
- Unresponsive (for witness testimony)
Define
burden of persuasion
Obligation to present evidence to persuade the fact-finder that the allegations are true.
Does not shift during trial.
Define
burden of production
Party’s obligation to establish a prima facie case (i.e. come forward with the evidence necessary to establish each element of the claims alleged)
Can shift during trial.
More info: Burden of Production
A rebuttable presumption shifts the burden of _________ to the ______ party, but the burden of _________ remains with the _______ party.
A rebuttable presumption shifts the burden of production to the opposing party, but the burden of persuasion remains with the original party.
What is the rule with presumptions in criminal cases?
Permissive presumptions are allowed (i.e. jury can infer, but is not required to do so).
Mandatory presumptions are unconstitutional because the burden of persuasion is shifted to D instead of the prosecution (which is required to prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt).
Ex. In a criminal case for murder, the judge cannot instruct the jury to “presume persons missing for 10 years are dead” because it would conflict with the prosecution’s burden and D’s presumption of innocence.
What is a juror prohibited from testifying about after trial?
- Statements made during the jury’s deliberations;
- The effect of anything on a juror’s vote; or
- Any juror’s mental processes concerning the verdict or indictment
What is the process for present recollection refreshed?
A witness can be shown a document to refresh his memory if:
- The witness cannot recall the answer to the question;
- The witness says that seeing a particular thing will refresh their memory;
- Can use anything to jog their memory: writing, email, receipt, photograph, old shoe
- After viewing the thing, the witness testifies that their recollection is refreshed
⚠️ Remember, this is not an exception to hearsay, and will generally not be admitted into evidence (unlike past recorded recollection)
What is past recollection recorded?
Allows a witness to read a prior writing or record to the jury if the record:
- Is on a matter the witness once knew about but now cannot recall well enough to testify fully and accurately;
- Was made or adopted by the witness when the matter was fresh in the witness’s memory; and
- Accurately reflects the witness’s knowledge
⚠️ Remember: This is a hearsay exception and can be admitted into evidence (unlike present recollection refreshed, which is not a hearsay exception and generally cannot be admitted into evidence). It may be received as an exhibit only if offered by an adverse party.
What are the main methods of impeachment?
- Showing prior inconsistent statements;
- Challenging the witness’s character for truthfulness;
- Showing prior misconduct;
- Showing bias; and
- Showing witness has sensory or mental defect
When testifying as to a witness’s reputation for truthfulness, can the witness discuss specific acts by the witness?
No, can only testify about their general opinion of the witness’s truthfulness or reputation in the community
Can you introduce extrinsic evidence to prove a prior conviction during felony impeachment of a witness?
Yes
Define
extrinsic evidence
Evidence other than the witness’s testimony in the current trial
Can an arrest be used to attack character for truthfulness?
No, cannot be used to impeach witness’s character for truthfulness because an arrest is not a conviction. Witness can be asked about underlying conduct, however.
What types of prior criminal convictions can be used to impeach a witness?
- Crimes punishable by death or by imprisonment for more than one year that are less than 10 years old (unless their probative value substantially outweighs its prejudicial effect and other party was given notice and chance to object); and
- Misdemeanors involving dishonesty and/or false statements
When is a felony not involving dishonesty admissible to impeach?
If witness is the criminal D:
- Only admissible if the probative value outweighs its prejudicial effect to D
If the witness is not the criminal D:
- May be admitted unless probative value is substantially outweighed by the prejudicial effect
How do you rehabilitate a witness? (i.e. repair the damage)
- Introduce prior consistent statement to rebut an express or implied charge that the witness’s testimony was recently fabricated or from a recent improper influence or motive (FRE(d)(1)(B));
- Ask witness to clarify statements on re-direct; or
- Introduce opinion or reputation testimony if the witness’s character for truthfulness was attacked (FRE 608(a))
⚠️ Can only directly rebut attacks; cannot bolster credibility
What is the Rule 403 balancing test?
Relevant evidence may nonetheless be excluded if the probative value is substantially outweighed by a danger of one or more of the following:
- Unfair prejudice;
- Confusing the issues;
- Misleading the jury;
- Undue delay;
- Wasting time; or
- Needlessly presenting cumulative evidence
What is the only time evidence is admissible without the 403 balancing test?
If a witness has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving dishonesty and it’s less than 10 years old, there is no discretionary balancing test. It will be admitted, even if it has a serious prejudicial effect.
What is the general rule regarding the admissibility of character evidence in civil cases?
Evidence of a person’s character or character trait is not admissible to prove that on a particular occasion the person acted in accordance with the character or trait. It may be offered, however, for a different purpose.
When character is an essential element of the claim, what type of character evidence is admissible?
- Reputation testimony;
- Opinion testimony; and
- Relevant specific instances of that person’s conduct
⚠️ Note: This is one of only a few circumstances in which specific instances/acts may be offered.
When can evidence of D’s character be admitted in a criminal case?
By the defendant:
- Reputation or opinion evidence of D’s own good character if trait is pertinent to charge (e.g. peacefulness if a murder trial)
- ⚠️ Cannot be introduced by specific acts!!
By the prosecution:
- If D has “opened the door” by offering his own character evidence, the prosecution can introduce character evidence to directly rebut D’s evidence; or
- If D has introduced evidence of V’s trait under FRE 404(a)(2)(A), prosecution can introduce evidence of D’s same trait (e.g. “V is violent,” “No, you’re violent”)
- ⚠️ Can be introduced by reputation or opinion testimony, and specific acts on cross-examination. Extrinsic evidence of specific acts is not allowed.
When can evidence of V’s character be admitted in a criminal case?
By the defendant:
- Reputation or opinion evidence on V’s trait if pertinent to a defense asserted (e.g. showing V was violent to support first-aggressor claim)
By the prosecution:
- To directly rebut D’s claim of V’s bad character
- Homicide cases: can rebut claim D’s that V was the first aggressor by showing V had character for peacefulness (D is not required to “open the door”)
- Reputation, opinion, and specific acts allowed on cross