Basic Introduction to the Evidence Book
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Best Evidence Rule--Oral Proof of Contents of Writings
St. John's Law Review Volume 5 Number 2 Volume 5, May 1931, Number 2 Article 8 Best Evidence Rule--Oral Proof of Contents of Writings Thomas M. McDade Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.stjohns.edu/lawreview This Note is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at St. John's Law Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in St. John's Law Review by an authorized editor of St. John's Law Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. NOTES AND COMMENT ing certain modes of procedure, in federal cases, it is submitted that there is nothing in the Fourteenth Amendment that forbids a state from keeping its rules of procedure and evidence abreast of the most enlightened views of modern jurisprudence. C. JOSEPHa DANAHY. BEST EVIDENCE RULE-ORAL PROOF OF CONTENTS OF WRITINGS. It is common learning in the law of evidence that a writing or document is the best evidence of what it contains. "Indeed the term 'best evidence' has been described as a convenient short de- scription of the rule as to proving the contents of a writing." I Therefore, generally, oral testimony will not be admitted to prove what was contained in a writing; the document itself must be produced and offered in evidence.2 The reasons for this rule are founded on the uncertainty of oral testimony based on recollec- tion, and the inability to reproduce properly such characteristics as form, handwriting and physical appearance. 3 But, like most laws of a pseudo-science, this general rule has several exceptions, and it is with one of these exceptions that we are concerned. -
Michigan Rules of Evidence Table of Contents
Michigan Rules of Evidence Table of Contents RULES 101–106 .......................................................................................................... 4 Rule 101. Scope. ....................................................................................................... 4 Rule 102. Purpose. ................................................................................................... 4 Rule 103. Rulings on Evidence. ............................................................................... 4 Rule 104. Preliminary Questions. ........................................................................... 5 Rule 105. Limited Admissibility. ............................................................................. 5 Rule 106. Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded Statements. ................. 5 RULES 201–202 .......................................................................................................... 5 Rule 201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts. .................................................... 5 Rule 202. Judicial Notice of Law. ............................................................................ 6 RULES 301–302 .......................................................................................................... 6 Rule 301. Presumptions in Civil Actions and Proceedings. ................................... 6 Rule 302. Presumptions in Criminal Cases. ........................................................... 6 RULES 401–411 ......................................................................................................... -
Chain of Custody
BY KEITH G. CHVAL Chain of Custody Recent incidents have shown how important it is for colleges and universities to preserve evidence — including digital evidence — that may be required in a legal investigation. ey Jon, I need the “ chain of custody.” H “The what?” Your general counsel has just stopped by your office and dropped that bombshell on you as you were drinking your morning cup of coffee. “Remember all those e-mails and other electronic files you gave us in connection with that internal investigation of Smith last summer? Well, the case is going to trial, and we need the chain of custody to prove that Smith really wrote all those things. Without the chain of custody, the judge won’t admit any of that information, and we’ll get killed at trial.” While chain of custody is a legal is challenging the authenticity of If “chain of custody” is a new or term of art — meaning it has a evidence — particularly where digital vague concept to you, you’re not alone. specific meaning in the law and can evidence is involved — I’ve found that AEL HENDERSON AEL In simplest terms, a proper chain have legal consequences — it has there are very few who adequately L of custody establishes the integrity significant practical implications for account for the chain of custody, let of a piece of evidence, showing that IT managers and other professionals. alone appreciate its importance,” it wasn’t tampered with or otherwise “Although it plays a critical function observes Scott Carlson, a partner in altered since it was first collected. -
Legal Terminology
Legal Terminology A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A ABATES – CAUSE: Used in Criminal Division cases when the defendant has died, so the “cause” (the case) “abates” (is terminated). ACQUITTED: Defendant is found not guilty ADJUDICATION HEARING: In child abuse and neglect proceedings, the trial stage at which the court hears the state’s allegations and evidence and decides whether the state has the right to intervene on behalf of the child. In a juvenile delinquency case, a hearing in which the court hears evidence of the charges and makes a finding of whether the charges are true or not true. ADMINISTRATOR: Person appointed to oversee the handling of an estate when there is no will. ADMONISHED: A reprimand or cautionary statement addressed to an attorney or party in the case by a judge. AFFIANT: One who makes an affidavit. AFFIDAVIT: A written statement made under oath. AGE OF MAJORITY: The age when a person acquires all the rights and responsibilities of being an adult. In most states, the age is 18. ALIAS: Issued after the first instrument has not been effective or resulted in action. ALIAS SUMMONS: A second summons issued after the original summons has failed for some reason. ALIMONY: Also called maintenance or spousal support. In a divorce or separation, the money paid by one spouse to the other in order to fulfill the financial obligation that comes with marriage. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION: Methods for resolving problems without going to court. -
19-Cr-00008-NR Document 2581 Filed 12/21/20 Page 1 of 3
Case 2:19-cr-00008-NR Document 2581 Filed 12/21/20 Page 1 of 3 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ) ) v. ) 2:19-cr-8-NR ) OMARI PATTON, ) ) ) Defendant. ) MEMORANDUM ORDER Omari Patton and 47 co-defendants are charged with engaging in a large-scale conspiracy to traffic a variety of Schedule I, II, and III controlled substances, including heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and synthetic cannabinoids. Mr. Patton has requested leave to file a motion to suppress certain laboratory test results and other items that the Federal Bureau of Prisons seized, including card stock and other paper that was believed to have been soaked in controlled substances. ECF 1774; ECF 1810. After carefully considering the parties’ submissions, the Court will grant Mr. Patton leave to file his motion to suppress, but will deny the motion without prejudice to Mr. Patton reasserting his objections at or around the time of trial. Mr. Patton’s primary argument is that “the Government failed to properly preserve” the cards and paper seized and later lab tested because of “numerous and serious errors in the chain of custody.” ECF 1810, ¶¶ 4-6. Mr. Patton claims that “[p]hysical evidence must be authenticated before being admitted into evidence.” Id. at ¶ 7. He also claims that the substantial “break” in the chain of custody here makes this authentication impossible. Id. at ¶ 31. The government, however, correctly points out that “[a]uthentication objections, like other trial objections, are assessed according to the applicable Federal Rules of Evidence, including Rules 104(a) and 901(a),” and there is “no requirement that the proponent [of evidence] do so before the evidence is presented at trial[.]” ECF 1879, at ¶ 22. -
Examination of Witnesses [PDF]
CHAPTER 32 JANUARY, 2012 ________________________________________________________ Examination of Witnesses Written by Eric Blumenson Table of Contents: §32.1 A Recommended Sequence for Trial Preparation .................................................... 2 §32.2 The Elements of Credibility ..................................................................................... 2 §32.3 Direct Examination .................................................................................................. 4 A. Choosing and Preparing Witnesses ................................................................... 4 B. Selecting the Areas of Testimony ...................................................................... 4 C. Techniques of Questioning ................................................................................ 5 §32.4 Cross-Examination ................................................................................................... 6 A. Selecting the Areas of Testimony ...................................................................... 6 1. Potential Areas of Cross-Examination ......................................................... 6 2. Narrow the Focus to Reduce the Risks ........................................................ 7 3. Subject Matter to Avoid in Cross-Examination ........................................... 9 B. Techniques of Questioning ................................................................................ 9 Cross-References: Checklists of issues in particular cases, § 11.10 Child witnesses, §§ -
Evidence in Criminal Proceedings Hearsay and Related Topics
Criminal Law EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS: HEARSAY AND RELATED TOPICS A Consultation Paper LAW COMMISSION CONSULTATION PAPER No 138 The Law Commission was set up by section 1 of the Law Commissions Act 1965 for the purpose of promoting the reform of the law. The Law Commissioners are: The Honourable Mr Justice Brooke, Chairman Professor Andrew Burrows Miss Diana Faber Mr Charles Harpum Mr Stephen Silber, QC The Secretary of the Law Commission is Mr Michael Sayers and its offices are at Conquest House, 37-38 John Street, Theobalds Road, London WClN 2BQ. This Consultation Paper, completed for publication on 11 May 1995, is circulated for comment and criticism only. It does not represent the final views of the Law Commission. The Law Commission would be grateful for comments on this Consultation Paper before 31 October 1995. All correspondence should be addressed to: Ms C Hughes Law Commission Conquest House 37-38 John Street Theobalds Road London WClN 2BQ (Tel: 0171- 453 1232) (Fax: 0171- 453 1297) It may be helpful for the Law Commission, either in discussion with others concerned or in any subsequent recommendations, to be able to refer to and attribute comments submitted in response to this Consultation Paper. Any request to treat all, or part, of a response in confidence will, of course, be respected, but if no such request is made the Law Commission will assume that the response is not intended to be confidential. The Law Commission Consultation Paper No 138 Criminal Law EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS: HEARSAY AND RELATED TOPICS -
Power and Legal Artifice: the Federal Class Action
Maurer School of Law: Indiana University Digital Repository @ Maurer Law Articles by Maurer Faculty Faculty Scholarship 1992 Power and Legal Artifice: The ederF al Class Action Bryant Garth Indiana University School of Law Follow this and additional works at: https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/facpub Part of the Civil Procedure Commons, and the Litigation Commons Recommended Citation Garth, Bryant, "Power and Legal Artifice: The ederF al Class Action" (1992). Articles by Maurer Faculty. 2482. https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/facpub/2482 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Faculty Scholarship at Digital Repository @ Maurer Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in Articles by Maurer Faculty by an authorized administrator of Digital Repository @ Maurer Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Power and Legal Artifice: The Federal Class Action Bryant G. Garth Using case studies and interviews with lawyers and representatives in class actions, this article explores the contribution that class actions make to their ostensible beneficiaries. The article first distinguishes the major types of class actions in terms of the roles of lawyers and class representatives, ranging from very passive representatives to individuals intensively involved with the dispute that gave rise to the litigation. The article next seeks to eval- uate the class actions. On the basis of the results of the class actions, the article finds that class actions cannot be proclaimed major contributors to social change. The focus on results, however, is somewhat misleading. The class action plays a much more significant role through its impact on the par- ties as litigants and as individuals involved with a dispute. -
Chain of Custody Specimen Collection Instructions
DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE CHAIN OF CUSTODY SPECIMEN COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS Chain of custody specimens can be used as evidence in court as the specimen is collected in the presence of a witness, sealed to prevent tampering and all handling/possession of specimen is recorded on the form from collection to testing. Testing Available Drugs of Abuse Microbiology Drugs of Abuse Screen 5, CoC, Meconium, LAB7379 Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhea PCR (CTNG PCR), Urine, LAB7166 Confirmed Drug Abuse Panel 9, CoC, Urine, LAB8020 Rapid Plasma Reagin w/ Reflex Titer (RPR), Blood, LAB7452 All Specimen Types 1. Place appropriate Chain of Custody test order in Epic 2. Microbiology samples can be ordered with or without Chain of Custody. Compete the following items in Epic when ordering testing for Chain of Custody: • Chain of Custody? Mark box “Yes” 3. Obtain Chain of Custody kit from the Laboratory: Anschutz Campus – 720-777-6711 North Campus – 720-478-5250 South Campus – 720-478-6711; 303-201-0155 (after-hours pager) Receive Chain of Custody Kit. Ensure all required items are included. Meconium Kit: Urine Kit: Blood Kit: • Chain of custody bag • Chain of custody bag • Chain of custody bag • Stool specimen container • Plastic cup • Red top vacutainer tube • Security label • 60-mL bottle • Security label • Chain of custody form • Security tape • Chain of custody form • Temperature slip • Chain of custody form 4. Complete Chain of Custody Form 5. Identify witness and obtain witness signature 6. Collect specimen: Meconium: Urine: Blood: • Place 1.0 to 5.0 • Collect specimen in provided cup or pediatric bag • Venipuncture or grams meconium in • Pour specimen into 60-mL transport bottle. -
Rationalization and Limitation: the Use of Learned Treatises to Impeach Opposing Expert Witnesses
RATIONALIZATION AND LIMITATION: THE USE OF LEARNED TREATISES TO IMPEACH OPPOSING EXPERT WITNESSES Edward J. Imwinkelried* [O]therwise, an ignoramus in a profession might, by an assertion of learning, declare the most absurd theories to be the teachings of the science of which he was a professed expert . –Clark v. Commonwealth, 63 S.W. 740, 744 (Ky. 1901) INTRODUCTION The numbers tell the story of the importance of the topic. To begin with, it has become commonplace for litigators to present expert testimony at trial. In one study of over 500 trials, the researchers found that experts appeared as witnesses in 86% of the hearings.1 On average, there were 3.3 experts per trial.2 Some commentators have asserted that in the United States, trial by jury is evolving into trial by expert.3 If the number of expert witnesses is impressive, the volume of expert literature is awesome. Even apart from the number of published texts and treatises devoted to expert topics, the regular periodicals dealing with such subjects now number in the thousands. The National Institutes of Health’s Library of Medicine covers thousands of biomedical journals dating back to 1948.4 The Library includes Index Medicus, a database indexing domestic as well as international medical literature;5 4,945 journals are currently indexed in Medicus.6 MEDLARS is the Library’s computerized Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System.7 The volume of expert literature is not only * Edward J. Barrett, Jr. Professor of Law, University of California Davis. Former Chair, Evidence Section, American Association of Law Schools. -
This Opinion Is Subject to Formal Revision Before Publication in the Atlantic and Maryland Reporters
Notice: This opinion is subject to formal revision before publication in the Atlantic and Maryland Reporters. Users are requested to notify the Clerk of the Court of any formal errors so that corrections may be made before the bound volumes go to press. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COURT OF APPEALS No. 13-CF-735 FLOYD E. BROOKS, APPELLANT, v. UNITED STATES, APPELLEE. Appeal from the Superior Court of the District of Columbia (CF1-24121-09) (Hon. Lynn Leibovitz, Trial Judge) (Argued May 5, 2015 Decided June 4, 2015) Thomas D. Engle, with whom Sharon L. Burka was on the brief, for appellant. John Cummings, Assistant United States Attorney, with whom Ronald C. Machen Jr., United States Attorney at the time the brief was filed, and Elizabeth Trosman, John P. Mannarino, and S. Vinet Bryant, Assistant United States Attorneys, were on the brief, for appellee. Before GLICKMAN and THOMPSON, Associate Judges, and FARRELL, Senior Judge. FARRELL, Senior Judge: A jury found appellant guilty of two counts of armed premeditated murder and related firearms offenses arising from the shooting deaths of brothers Robert and Raymond Williams. Appellant claims error in the 2 trial court’s twofold ruling that allowed the prosecutor (a) to impeach a defense witness, Vernon Parrish, with his prior inconsistent statements to defense counsel and a defense investigator disclosed in appellant’s in limine motion to admit Parrish’s third-party perpetrator testimony under Winfield v. United States, 676 A.2d 1 (D.C. 1996) (en banc), and (b) to “complete the impeachment” by a stipulation of the parties that Parrish, contrary to his denials on the stand, had made the inconsistent statements to the defense team. -
Admissible Evidence for Summary Judgment
Admissible Evidence For Summary Judgment Ribbony Wolfie sometimes deal his hydrometry predictably and implode so humblingly! Edgier and planktonic Thorndike chirruping almost jocularly, though mishandlesMattias centralised unwontedly. his misunderstanding syncs. Devin is splendorous and premix communicatively as heteropolar Rodolph attaints impartibly and In the Penn case, summary judgment was appropriate. Although judicial admissions are usually conclusive, because it could not resolve the issue without further development of the record. The letter was deprived of evidence for consistency and for abuse. A forward for summary judgment may entertain be filed A rug any coincidence is. It should be authenticated, evidence for a signal of a potent litigation involved in which are not. Civil service Rule 56 Summary judgment Massgov. The admission is for admissions which facts can make summary judgment for which ultimately affirmed a civ pro quiz ebook! Analysis of many evidence review summary judgment mo- tions3 and to streamline the. The admissibility of hearsay evidence provided a motion of summary judgment. In evidence for admissions. An oral statement by counsel in the singular action neither a binding judicial admission if the statement was an unambiguous concession of a ground then at bustle and sister not made improvidently or unguardedly. Thus, consideration, no copy of authority transcript was attached. In law of summary judgment is a judgment entered by important court for bounce party and protect another. One party is admissible form for admissions are not admissibility into or motive. Between a Celotex-type and a traditional motion this summary judgment as that distinction. For example, the moving party may obtain summary judgment by showing that the opposing party has no evidence or that its evidence is insufficient to meet its burden at trial.