Evidence is relevant if:
Logical Relevance
Balancing Test (Legal Relevance)
Evidence may be excluded if its value is substantially outweighed by one or more:
a. Danger of: unfair prejudice, confusing the issues, misleading jury
b. concerns of undue delay, waste of time, needless presentation of cumulative evidence
Evidence of Flight
probative value as circumstantial evidence of guilt depends on degree of confidence w/ which 4 inferences can be drawn:
Categorical Policy Exclusion
Form Problems (Qs not allowed)
Witness Competency Requirements
everyone presumed competent unless otherwise provided
Requirements:
1. ability to communicate in some way
2. ability to perceive events which they’re testifying about (personal knowledge)
3. ability to recollect/remember
4. honesty/understanding of obligation to tell the truth
Dead Man’s Act/Statute
claiming against someone who is dead; you can’t testify because they can’t.
not around anymore/not a fed statute. wouldn’t apply unless it’s a diversity case & it’s state law
Children as witnesses (competency requirements)
Whether the child can:
What is hearsay?
An out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted
Out of Court Statements Not Offered for Their Truth
Statements of a Party Opponent (hearsay exemptions)
Past Statements of Witnesses and Past Testimony
Hearsay Exemptions
Hearsay Exceptions When Declarant Is Unavailble
Hearsay Exceptions When Declarant’s Unavailability Is Irrelevant
Documentary Exceptions
Present Recollection Revived
used to refresh before or after testifying; now that you remember you’re testifying like any other witness.
Residual Exception (Hearsay)
elements:
declarant doesn’t have to be unavailable, but if they are you usually wont meet requirements
Party’s Own Words - exemption
stmts of party opponent
Adoptive Admissions - exemption
stmts of party opponent
stmts party manifested that it adopted or believed (or failed to protest) to be true
admission by silence:
Statements by Agents - exemption
stmts of party opponent
Co-conspirators Statements - exemption
conspiracy incl. declarant & party its being offered agaisnt
Prior Inconsistent Statement of Witness Under Oath
admissible for impeachment & substantive
Prior Inconsistent Statement of Witness Not Under Oath
impeachment only.
witness given chance to explain & adverse party gets chance to examine witness about it
Prior Consistent Statement of Witness Offered to Rebut Charge of Recent Fabrication or Improper Motive