TrEv • TrEv

Contents

Contents

i

ii

Editorial Advisors

iv

v

ix

Table of Contents

Half Title Page

1

Chapter I An Advocacy Approach to Trial Evidence

1

§1.1. Introduction

2

§1.2. The three “Rs”

2

1.

3

2.

3

3.

5

§1.3. Using the three “Rs”

7

§1.4. Conclusion

9

Chapter II The Role and Power of the Trial Judge: Evidentiary Objections Before and During Trial

9

§2.1. Introduction

10

§2.2. Sources of judicial power

10

1.

10

2.

12

3.

13

§2.3. Sources of judicial procedure

14

1.

18

2.

19

3.

21

§2.4. Raising and meeting objections

27

Chapter III Opening Statements

27

§3.1. Introduction

29

§3.2. Mentioning inadmissible evidence

29

1.

31

2.

32

§3.3. Mentioning unprovable evidence

32

1.

33

2.

34

34

1.

34

2.

35

§3.5. Stating personal opinions

35

1.

36

2.

37

§3.6. Discussing law

37

1.

37

2.

38

§3.7. Mentioning the opponent’s case

38

1.

39

2.

41

Chapter IV Direct Examination of Witnesses: Basic Considerations

41

§4.1. Introduction

41

§4.2. Witness competency (FRE 601)

41

1.

43

2.

45

§4.3. Oath or affirmation (FRE 603)

45

1.

45

2.

46

§4.4. Improper witnesses (FRE 605, 606)

46

1.

48

2.

50

§4.5. Who may call witnesses (FRE 614)

50

1.

51

2.

52

§4.6. Excluding witnesses (FRE 615)

52

1.

53

2.

55

§4.7. Personal knowledge and opinions (FRE 602, 701)

55

1.

58

2.

61

§4.8. Impeaching own witnesses (FRE 607)

61

1.

62

2.

64

§4.9. Leading questions (FRE 611(c))

64

1.

65

2.

67

§4.10. Other form objections

67

1.

68

2.

69

§4.11. Refreshing recollection and recorded recollection (FRE 612, 803(5))

69

1.

71

2.

75

Chapter V Direct Examination of Witnesses: Relevance

75

§5.1. Introduction

75

§5.2. General relevance

75

1.

76

a.

76

i.

What are the matters in issue in the case?

77

Is the evidence probative of a matter in issue in the case?

79

b.

81

2.

85

§5.3. Special relevancy rules

85

1.

Character traits

85

a.

86

i.

“Essential element” rule

89

“Circumstantial evidence” rule

92

b.

97

c.

Summary of character evidence

97

2.

Other crimes, wrongs, and acts

97

a.

b.

c.

Summary of other uncharged crimes, wrongs, or acts

3.

Similar incidents evidence

a.

b.

4.

Other acts evidence in sexual assault cases (FRE 412-415)

a.

b.

c.

d.

5.

Habit and routine practice (FRE 406)

a.

b.

Chapter VI Direct Examination of Witnesses: Hearsay and Non-Hearsay

§6.1. Introduction

§6.2. The hearsay rules

1.

A “statement”

2.

“Other than one made by the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing”

3.

“Offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted”

§6.3. Non-hearsay

1.

a.

Independent legal significance

b.

c.

Effect on listener’s state of mind

2.

§6.4. Prior statement by witness (FRE 801(d)(1))

1.

a.

Prior inconsistent statements made under oath used for impeachment

b.

Prior consistent statements

c.

A statement of identification of a person

2.

§6.5. Admission by party-opponent (FRE 801(d)(2))

1.

a.

A party’s own admission

b.

Adoptive admissions

c.

Admissions by authorized persons, agents, and employees

d.

Co-conspirator statements

2.

§6.6. Summary of hearsay analysis

Chapter VII Direct Examination of Witnesses: Hearsay Exceptions

§7.1. Introduction

1.

Hearsay exceptions rationale

2.

The FRE 803 exceptions

3.

The FRE 804 exceptions

4.

The Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause

5.

Organizing hearsay exceptions

§7.2. Present sense impressions (FRE 803(1))

1.

2.

§7.3. Excited utterances (FRE 803(2))

1.

2.

§7.4. Then existing mental, emotional, or physical conditions (FRE 803(3))

1.

2.

§7.5. Statements for purpose of medical diagnosis or treatment (FRE 803(4))

1.

2.

§7.6. Statements under belief of impending death (FRE 804(b)(2))

1.

2.

§7.7. Former testimony (FRE 804(b)(1))

1.

2.

§7.8. Statements against interest (FRE 804(b)(3))

1.

2.

§7.9. Statements of personal or family history (FRE 804(b)(4))

1.

2.

§7.10. Business records (FRE 803(6), 803(7), 902(11)-902(14))

1.

2.

§7.11. Public records (FRE 803(8)-803(17))

1.

2.

§7.12. Recorded recollection (FRE 803(5))

1.

2.

§7.13. Ancient documents (FRE 803(16))

§7.14. Reputation evidence (FRE 803(19)-803(21))

1.

2.

§7.15. Treatises (FRE 803(18))

1.

2.

§7.16. Residual or catchall exception (FRE 807)

1.

a.

Trustworthiness

b.

c.

d.

Satisfy general purpose of Rules and interests of justice

e.

§7.17. Hearsay within hearsay (FRE 805)

1.

2.

§7.18. Attacking and supporting credibility of declarant (FRE 806)

1.

2.

Chapter VIII Direct Examination of Witnesses: Policy Exclusions and Privileges

§8.1. Introduction to policy exclusions

§8.2. Subsequent remedial measures (FRE 407)

1.

2.

§8.3. Compromise and offers of compromise (FRE 408)

1.

2.

§8.4. Payment of medical expenses (FRE 409)

1.

2.

§8.5. Existence of liability insurance (FRE 411)

1.

2.

§8.6. Plea agreements and discussions (FRE 410)

1.

2.

§8.7. Victim’s past sexual behavior or alleged sexual predisposition in sex offense cases (FRE 412)

1.

2.

§8.8. Introduction to privileges

§8.9. Preliminary considerations

§8.10. Marital privilege to bar spousal testimony

1.

2.

§8.11. Interspousal communications privilege

1.

2.

§8.12. Attorney-client privilege

1.

2.

§8.13. Doctor-patient privilege

1.

2.

§8.14. Other privileges

Chapter IX Direct Examination of Experts

§9.1. Introduction

§9.2. Frye, Daubert, Joiner, and Kumho Tire

1.

2.

§9.3. Relevancy

1.

2.

§9.4. Reliability

1.

2.

§9.5. Sources of facts and data on which expert relies

1.

2.

§9.6. Disclosure of basis of expert’s testimony

1.

2.

§9.7. Form of expert’s testimony

1.

2.

1.

2.

§9.9. Court-appointed experts

1.

2.

Chapter X Exhibits

§10.1. Introduction

§10.2. Foundations

§10.3. Real evidence

1.

a.

Sensory identification

b.

Chain of custody

2.

§10.4. Demonstrative evidence

1.

2.

§10.5. Documents and instruments

1.

2.

§10.6. Business records

1.

2.

§10.7. Public records

1.

2.

§10.8. Recorded recollection

1.

2.

§10.9. Summaries

1.

2.

§10.10. Original documents (“best evidence”) rule

1.

2.

§10.11. Electronic evidence

1.

Computerized business records, data, and metadata

2.

Electronic communications—overview

3.

Authenticity of electronic communications

4.

Digital photographs

5.

Computer-generated animations and simulations

Chapter XI Judicial Notice and Presumptions

§11.1. Introduction

§11.2. Judicial notice

1.

2.

§11.3. Presumptions

1.

Burden of proof

2.

Presumptions and inferences

Chapter XII Cross-Examination and Impeachment of Lay and Expert Witnesses

§12.1. Introduction

§12.2. Cross-examination

1.

2.

§12.3. Impeachment procedures

1.

a.

“Voucher” rule rejected

b.

Impeachment methods

c.

The good faith requirement

d.

The “confrontation” or “warning question” requirement

e.

The relevancy requirement and the “collateral”–“non-collateral” dichotomy

2.

§12.4. Impeachment methods

1.

Bias, interest, and motive

a.

b.

2.

Prior inconsistent statements

a.

b.

3.

Contradictory facts

a.

b.

4.

Prior convictions

a.

i.

Overview of FRE 609

The “general rule” of FRE 609(a)

The 10-year rule of FRE 609(b)

Pardons, juvenile convictions, and appeals

v.

The FRE 104(a) hearing

b.

5.

Character for untruthfulness

a.

i.

Character witness testimony about the truth-telling character of a fact witness

Cross-examination of a truth-telling character witness

b.

6.

Conduct probative of untruthfulness

a.

b.

i.

The fact witness

The character witness

7.

a.

b.

8.

Impeaching out-of-court declarants

a.

b.

Chapter XIII Redirect, Recross, Rebuttal, and Surrebuttal

§13.1. Introduction

§13.2. Redirect examination

1.

2.

§13.3. Recross-examination

1.

2.

§13.4. Rebuttal

1.

2.

§13.5. Surrebuttal

1.

2.

Chapter XIV Closing Arguments

§14.1. Introduction

§14.2. Mentioning unadmitted evidence

1.

2.

§14.3. Misstating or mischaracterizing the evidence

1.

2.

§14.4. Making improper comments on missing evidence

1.

2.

§14.5. Stating personal opinions and making personal attacks

1.

2.

§14.6. Appealing to sympathy, prejudice, and passions

1.

2.

§14.7. Arguing the law

1.

2.

§14.8. Making improper damages arguments

1.

2.

§14.9. Arguing consequences of a conviction or verdict

1.

2.

§14.10. Making improper rebuttal arguments

1.

2.