Relevancy Flashcards
What is relevant evidence?
Evidence that tends to make the existence of any fact more or less probable than it would be without the evidence. Relevant evidence must be:
- Logically relevant
And
- Legally relevant
* More Info:* Relevant Evidence
What is logical relevance?
A tendency to prove or disprove a fact of consequence
What is legal relevance?
Evidence that is helpful in deciding the case
When may relevant evidence be excluded?
If the probative value is substantially outweighed by the following prejudicial effects:
- The evidence invites the jury to make a decision on an improper ground
- The evidence confuses the issues
- The evidence misleads the jury
- The evidence causes undue delay
- The evidence wastes time
Or
- Is the needless presentation of cumulative evidence.
What is circumstantial evidence?
Facts that logically establish other facts
More Info: Circumstantial Evidence
What is demonstrative evidence?
Evidence prepared in anticipation of trial to assist the jury or fact finder
What is character evidence?
Evidence of a general propensity or disposition for:
- Honesty
- Peacefulness
- Violence
* More Info:* Character Evidence
When can character evidence be used to establish an essential element of the case?
Only in civil cases
When is character evidence admissible to prove a defendant’s conformity with character in civil cases?
When it is an essential element of a claim or defense in the case
What are the three forms of character evidence?
What must be proven for a witness to offer character evidence?
The witness must establish he is aware of the reputation of the party in the relevant community.
If character evidence is based on opinion, what must a witness establish?
That he has sufficient knowledge to form an opinion about the particular trait.
When character is an essential element of the trail, what type of character evidence is admissible?
Specific instances of that person’s conduct may be offered as evidence.
List the civil causes of action where character is ay issue, and thus all forms of character evidence are admissible?
- Defamation
- Child custody
- Negligent entrustment
- Negligent hiring
* More Info:* Character - Civil Causes of Action
Who can initially introduce evidence of a defendant’s character in a criminal case?
Only the defense can open the door to this type of evidence.
In a criminal case, what are the limits on the use of character evidence?
The pertinent trait of what the defendant is on trial for is all that may be discussede by character evidence.
If the case involves a crime of violence, then peacefulness is the pertinent trait.
If the trial is for a fraud case, then honesty is the pertinent trait.
Types: Reputation or character evidence can be used.
What can the prosecution do once a defendant opens the door to character evidence in a criminal case?
The prosecution can rebut with:
- Reputation evidence
- Opinion Evidence for their truth
Or
- For the limited purpose of impeaching witness, evidence of specific acts demonstrating the character of the defendant
When does character evidence not open the door to the prosecution?
When the evidence is of a trait that is not the pertinent trait of the crime charged
When may testimony in a criminal case about about the pertinent trait or character of a victim be introduced?
A defendant may offer evidence of a victim’s violent character as circumstantial evidence that the victim was the first aggressor. Character evidence can thus be used to show that the defendant acted in self defense.
If the defendant opens the door of a victim’s character in a criminal case, what can the prosecution do in response?
The prosecution may rebut with:
- Evidence of good character of the victim (reputation or opinion)
Or
- Evidence of the bad character of the defendant (reputation or opinion)