Evidence Flashcards
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Objections at trial should be made after the question, but before the answer, if the question calls for inadmissible matter. Here,
Objection - Leading
A leading question is one that suggests the answer. Leading questions are not allowed on direct examination, unless the witness is adverse, hostile, or needs special help (minors). Here,
Objection - Assumes Facts Not in Evidence
Whenever a question incorporates facts that have not been entered into evidence, the question is impermissible. Here,
Objection - Non-responsive
A non-responsive answer doesn’t answer the question asked or gives more information in the answer than what is asked for. Here,
Objection - Non-responsive: Motion to Strike
Counsel should move to strike everything beyond the “yes” since the remainder of the response is “non-responsive” to the question. Here,
Objection - Calls for a Narrative
A question calls for a narrative if it is open-ended and overbroad. This promotes short responses from the witness that do not contain relevant and prejudicial information. Here,
Objection - Argumentative
A question is argumentative if it tries to make an argument instead of seeking an answer. Here,
Objection - Sepculation
Speculation occurs when the W is guessing at the answer and has no personal knowledge of the answer. A witness is not allowed to speculate. Here,
Objection - Compound
A compound question is one that asks multiple questions, yet request only one response for all the questions. Compound questions are NOT allowed. Here,
Objection - Outside the Scope of Direct
Cross-examination is generally limited to 1) the scope of direct examination, including all reasonable inferences that may be drawn from it, and 2) testing the credibility of the witness. Here,
Purpose
Are there any issues with WHY the evidence is being presented?
Purpose - Relevance
Evidence is logically relevant if it tends to make the existence of a material fact more or less probable. In CA, the material fact must be in dispute for it to be logically relevant. However, the court has discretion to exclude otherwise relevant evidence if its probative value is substantially outweighed by its risk of unfair prejudice, confusion, or waste of time. Here,
Purpose - Relevance: Similar Occurrence (PIP INC)
Evidence is usually irrelevant if it does not relate to the same time, event, or person in controversy. However, similar prior occurrences can be relevant to prove 1) pre-existing injury, 2) impossibility (rebut), 3) property value, 4) intent, 5) notice (or lack of), and 6) causation. Here,
Purpose - Relevance: CA Prop 8 (Truth in Evidence)
Prop 8 applies to CA criminal cases, and it allows all relevant evidence to be admissible UNLESS the evidence relates to hearsay, privilege, secondary evidence rule, or rape victim. However, the judge may nevertheless exclude the Prop 8 evidence under CED 352 after applying a balancing test. Here,
Purpose - Public Policy Reasons (LOOSE)
Evidence that is relevant may still be excluded based on public policy reasons. Here,
Purpose - Public Policy Reasons (LOOSE): Liability Insurance
Evidence of insurance is NOT admissible to prove negligence or an ability to pay, but insurance is admissible to prove ownership and control, or to impeach. The purpose of this rule is to encourage people to carry insurance. Here,
Purpose - Public Policy Reasons (LOOSE): Offers to Settle
In civil cases, settlements and related negotiations are inadmissible to prove liability. There must be an actual or threatened claim for this exception to apply. The purpose is to encourage settlements out of court. In CA, discussions during mediation proceedings are also inadmissible.
In criminal cases, withdrawn pleas and related negotiations are inadmissible to prove guilt. This supports the public policy of encouraging pleas out of court. Under Prop 8, this evidence may be admissible, but the courts will balance unfair prejudice. Here,
Purpose - Public Policy Reasons (LOOSE): Offers to Pay Medical Expenses
Payment or offers to pay medical expenses are inadmissible to prove liability, but related statements of fact by the D are admissible.
In CA, both statements are excluded. Here,
Purpose - Public Policy Reasons (LOOSE): Subsequent Remedial Measures
Evidence of repairs or other precautionary measures made following an injury is not admissible unless it is to 1) prove ownership or control, 2) rebut a claim that the precaution was not feasible, or 3) prove that the opposing party has destroyed the evidence. Here,
In CA, evidence that a product was redesigned following an accident is admissible to prove the original design was defective, but not admissible to prove negligence. Here,
Purpose - Public Policy Reasons (LOOSE): CA ONLY Expressions of Sympathy
Statements expressing sympathy for pain or injury to an accident victim are not admissible, but statements of fault made with the expression of sympathy are admissible. Here,
Purpose - Character Evidence
Generally evidence of a person’s character or general disposition is inadmissible to prove that a person acted in conformity with that character occasion. However, certain exceptions apply depending on if it is a civil or criminal case. Depending on the circumstances, character evidence can be introduced by reputation and opinion testimony, or by specific prior acts.
Purpose - Character Evidence: Civil Case
In a civil case, character evidence is admissible if character is directly at issue in the case, such as a defamation, fraud, tort battery (violence defense), etc. Under FRE, character evidence is also allowed for claims based on sexual assault or child molestation, but under CA rules this is not an exception. Here,
Purpose - Character Evidence: Civil Case - Habit
Evidence of a person’s habits are admissible to prove the likelihood of a person’s conduct on a particular occasion. As opposed to character evidence about a person’s general disposition, habit evidence focuses on a person’s frequent and repetitive conduct. Such conduct in a business setting is called Routine Practice. Here,
Purpose - Character Evidence: Criminal Case
In a criminal case, the prosecution cannot initiate evidence of a D’s bad character or prior crimes merely to show D was more likely to commit the crime charged. However, if D first puts his character in issue then he “opens the door” to character evidence. Here,
Purpose - Character Evidence: Criminal Case - Introduced By Prosecution
One exception to this rule is that prosecutors can be the first to introduce evidence of the D’s bad character in a sexual assault or child molestation case, of if the D pleads self-defense in homicide case (P can evidence his peaceful character).
Additionally, in CA, prosecutors can offer evidence of prior domestic violence in crime involving domestic violence. Here,
Purpose - Character Evidence: Criminal Case - Defendant Opens Door
D can be the first to offer evidence of a pertinent trait related to the crime. In CA, the D can raise any trait. This evidence can be introduced through reputation and opinion testimony only on direct examination. On cross, the prosecution can rebut the D’s good character evidence using reputation and opinion testimony AND specific prior acts. In CA, specific instance evidence is not allowed on cross or direct. Here,
Purpose - Character Evidence: Criminal Case - Victim Character Evidence
Except in rape cases, D may introduce reputation or opinion evidence of the victim’s bad character when it is relevant to show D’s innocence. Here,
Once D has introduced this evidence, prosecution may counter with reputation or opinion evidence of: 1) victim’s good character, or 2) D’s bad character for the same trait. Here,
Purpose - Character Evidence: Specific Acts (MIMIC)
Evidence of a person’s prior crimes or misconduct can be admissible if they are relevant to some issue other than the D’s character or disposition to commit the crime. Therefore, the following evidence is admissible as an exception to character evidence: Motive, Intent, Absence of Mistake, Identity, Knowledge, Opportunity, Preparation, Plan, and Scheme. Here,
W Credibility: Competency
A witness must be competent to testify by having PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE of the matter with present recollection (refreshing allowed) and must be willing to take an oath to tell the truth. Personal knowledge can be perceived with senses, even if it’s an imperfect perception. Here,
In CA, the W must be able to understand the legal duty to tell the truth - know right from wrong. Here,
W Credibility: Impeachment
Impeachment can be used to undermine the credibility of a W. A W may be impeached by either cross-examination (direct contradiction) or extrinsic evidence such as 1) reputation/opinion testimony of a contradicting W, 2) prior inconsistent statements, 3) evidence of bias/motive, 4) prior convictions, or 5) prior bad acts of dishonesty. Here,
W Credibility: Impeachment - Prior Inconsistent Statements
A party’s prior statements inconsistent with his present testimony is admissible only for impeachment purposes, but not as substantive truth (hearsay). However, if the statement was made under oath at a prior proceeding, and if the witness is given the opportunity to explain or deny the inconsistency, then the prior inconsistent statement is admissible non-hearsay and may be admitted to prove the truth of what is asserted. Here,
In CA, inconsistent statements can be offered as substantive evidence of its truth. It need not be under oath. Here,
W Credibility: Bias/Motive
Evidence that a witness is biased is always admissible (including extrinsic) because it tends to show that the W has motive to lie. Here,
W Credibility: Character for Dishonesty - Reputation or Opinion for Dishonesty
A W may be impeached by showing that he has a poor reputation for truthfulness. Extrinsic evidence is allowed. Further, the impeaching W may offer his own opinion as to the truthfulness of the W he’s trying to impeach. Here,
W Credibility: Character for Dishonesty - Prior Criminal Conviction
A W may be impeached by proof of a conviction for any crime involving dishonesty within 10 years (no court discretion). For felony conviction not involving dishonesty, the court has discretion to balance the admissibility based on probative value vs. unfair prejudice. All other misdemeanors not involving dishonesty are inadmissible. Here,
In CA, under Prop 8, a W can be impeached for any misdemeanor criminal conviction involving moral turpitude after the court applies a balancing test, e.g. perjury, theft, violence, sexual crimes, etc. In civil cases, only felony convictions involving moral turpitude (not misdemeanors) are admissible. Here,
W Credibility: Character for Dishonesty - Bad Acts of Dishonesty
A W may be impeached on cross examination by an act of dishonesty that did not result in a conviction, however, the cross-examiner must only do so in good faith, the court has discretion to balance interests, and no extrinsic evidence can be used to prove the bad act, even if the W denies the bad act. Here,
In CA, under Prop 8, a witness can be impeached for bad acts only in a criminal case if the misconduct is an act of moral turpitude, subject to a balancing test. No bad acts admissible in civil cases. Here,
W Credibility: Rehabilitation
After the W’s credibility is attacked, the W can be rehabilitated through evidence o his honesty and evidence of prior consistent statements made before the W had a motive to lie. Here,