Apply Federal or California Evidence Law? (Essay)
Federal Court in California in a civil action arising under Diversity Jdx regarding (1) Privileges; (2) Witness Competency; (3) Effect of presumptions.
California Evidence law!
Right to Truth-in-Evidence Amendment to CA Constitution (Proposition 8)
Criminal case in CA, all relevant evidence is admissible!
7 Exceptions to Prop. 8
“HELPRS 352”
3-Step Approach on CEC Essays
What does the fact of consequence need to be?
Relevance
Evidence is relevant if it has any tendancy to make existence of a fact of consequence IN DISPUTE to the determination of the action more or less probable than it would be without the evidence.
What’s the rule number in CA?
Court’s Discretion to Exclude Relevant Evidence
CA’s version is called Rule 352
Public Policy Exclusions
Subsequent Remedial Measures
Ex) Product liability action against manufacturer. Plaintiff alleges toy’s sharp corners caused injury. To prove defective design, Plaintiff offers evidence that Defendant redesigned toy to remove sharp corners. Admissible in CA Court; Inadmissible in Federal Court.
Public Policy Exclusions
Civil Settlements and Settlement Negotiations
Ex) “If you sign a release, I will pay your hospital bill, I shouldn’t have dropped that banana peel on stairs” Inadmissible FRE and CEC
Public Policy Exclusions
Payments of and Offers to Pay Medical Expenses
Ex) “I’ll pay your hospital bill.” Inadmissible FRE and CEC.
Ex) “I shouldn’t have dropped that banana peel on stairs” Admissible FRE; Inadmissible CEC
Public Policy Exclusions
Plea Discussions
CA only - Public Policy Exclusions
Expressions of Sympathy in Civil Cases
Ex) “I am so sorry you are badly hurt. I should not have run the red light”
Entire part: Admissible FRE
First part Inadmissible CEC
Second part Admissible CEC
CA only - Public Policy Exclusions
Evidence of Immigration Status in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
CA only - Public Policy Exclusions
Hospital Quality Records in Civil Cases
INADMISSIBLE in civil cases:
CA only - Public Policy Exclusions
Victim’s or Witness’s Act of Prostitution
Difference in Exception for Sexual Assault / Child Molestation
Character Evidence in Civil Cases
Character Evidence in Criminal Cases
Defendant’s Conduct in Criminal Case
Defendant’s Conduct in Criminal Case
4 Exceptions: When Prosecution Can Initiate Bad Character & Rebut to Prove their Conduct
Where defendant has NOT introduced evidence of their own good character, prosecution can still introduce evidence of the defendant’s bad character to prove their conduct in:
(1) FRE & CEC: In prosecution for sexual assault or child molestation, prosecution may offer evidence that defendant committed other acts of sexual assault or child molesatation (CEC does NOT recognize this exception in civil cases)
(2) CEC: In prosecution for a crime of Domestic violence or Elder abuse, prosecution may offer evidence that the Defendant committed other acts of domestic violence or elder abuse
(3) FRE: If Defendant has introduced evidence of victim’s bad character, prosecution may rebut by offering evidence that the defendant has bad character of same trait
(4) CEC: If Defendant has introduced evidence of victim’s character for violence, prosecution may rebut by offering that defendant has a violent character
FRE 🆚 CEC
May prosecution offer evidence that Defendant has a character for dishonesty?
Prosecution for theft of 💍 Victim claims Defendant stole her ring. Defendant claims ownership of ring and claims it was the victim who stole it and Defendant took it back. Defendant offers evidence that victim has a character for dishonesty.
FRE: Yes
CEC: No
Cross-Examination of Defendant’s Character Witness
Victim’s Character in Criminal Case
Victim’s Character in Criminal Case
Admissibility of Specific Instances of Victim’s Conduct
Sexual Assault Victim’s Past Behavior
If prosecution introduces evidence of victim’s prior sexual conduct, Defendant is permitted to cross-exam
Defendant’s Similar Misconduct in Certain Cases
Testimonial Evidence
Competency of Witness: Extra CA Requirement?