MOCK TRIAL OBJECTIONS 1. Ambiguous & Vague Question Rule
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Rule 803. Hearsay Exceptions; Availability of Declarant Immaterial. the Following Are Not Excluded by the Hearsay Rule, Even Th
Article 8. Hearsay. Rule 801. Definitions and exception for admissions of a party-opponent. The following definitions apply under this Article: (a) Statement. – A "statement" is (1) an oral or written assertion or (2) nonverbal conduct of a person, if it is intended by him as an assertion. (b) Declarant. – A "declarant" is a person who makes a statement. (c) Hearsay. – "Hearsay" is a statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. (d) Exception for Admissions by a Party-Opponent. – A statement is admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule if it is offered against a party and it is (A) his own statement, in either his individual or a representative capacity, or (B) a statement of which he has manifested his adoption or belief in its truth, or (C) a statement by a person authorized by him to make a statement concerning the subject, or (D) a statement by his agent or servant concerning a matter within the scope of his agency or employment, made during the existence of the relationship or (E) a statement by a coconspirator of such party during the course and in furtherance of the conspiracy. (1983, c. 701, s. 1.) Rule 802. Hearsay rule. Hearsay is not admissible except as provided by statute or by these rules. (1983, c. 701, s. 1.) Rule 803. Hearsay exceptions; availability of declarant immaterial. The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule, even though the declarant is available as a witness: (1) Present Sense Impression. -
Supreme Court of the United States
NO. _____________ In The Supreme Court of the United States -------------------------♦------------------------- BOB LEE JONES, Petitioner, v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Respondent. -------------------------♦------------------------- ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT -------------------------♦------------------------- PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI -------------------------♦------------------------- James P. McLoughlin, Jr. Pro Bono Counsel of Record Frank E. Schall MOORE & VAN ALLEN, PLLC 100 North Tryon Street, Suite 4700 Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 (704) 331-1054 [email protected] [email protected] Counsel for Petitioner Dated: October 16, 2018 THE LEX GROUPDC 1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Suite 500, #5190 Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 955-0001 (800) 856-4419 www.thelexgroup.com i QUESTIONS PRESENTED I. Whether the District Court’s demonstration of bias against the defense in violation of the Judge’s ethical canons and in front of the jury impeded Mr. Jones’ right to a fair trial in violation of Mr. Jones’ Due Process rights. II. Whether the Circuit Court’s application of the present sense impression exception to the hearsay rule is too narrow, when other circuit courts permit a longer lapse of time. III. Whether the defense of involuntary intoxication is an admissible defense to certain federal charges requiring specific intent -- here, specifically a charge of felon in possession of a firearm. ii LIST OF PARTIES All parties appear in the caption of the -
Using Leading Questions During Direct Examination
Florida State University Law Review Volume 23 Issue 2 Article 4 Fall 1995 Using Leading Questions During Direct Examination Charles W. Ehrhardt Florida State University College of Law Stephanie J. Young Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.law.fsu.edu/lr Part of the Evidence Commons, and the State and Local Government Law Commons Recommended Citation Charles W. Ehrhardt & Stephanie J. Young, Using Leading Questions During Direct Examination, 23 Fla. St. U. L. Rev. 401 (1995) . https://ir.law.fsu.edu/lr/vol23/iss2/4 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Florida State University Law Review by an authorized editor of Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. USING LEADING QUESTIONS DURING DIRECT EXAMINATION CHARLES W. EHRHARDT* AND STEPHANIE J. YOUNG"* I. INTRODUCTION ..................................................... 401 II. BEFORE ADOPTION OF FLORIDA'S EVIDENCE CODE ......... 402 A. An Exception for Leading Questions on Direct Examination ................................................ 402 B. Voucher Rule Barred Impeaching a Party'sOwn Witness ....................................................... 404 III. ADOPTION OF FLORIDA'S EVIDENCE CODE ................... 405 A. Section 90.608: Impeaching an Adverse Witness... 405 B. Section 90.612(3): Use of Leading Questions ....... 406 C. 1990 Amendment to Section 90.608 ................... 408 D. Evidence Code Amendments Make Rule Unnecessary................................................ -
New York Evidentiary Foundations Randolph N
digitalcommons.nyls.edu Faculty Scholarship Books 1993 New York Evidentiary Foundations Randolph N. Jonakait H. Baer E. S. Jones E. Imwinkelried Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.nyls.edu/fac_books Part of the Evidence Commons Recommended Citation Jonakait, Randolph N.; Baer, H.; Jones, E. S.; and Imwinkelried, E., "New York Evidentiary Foundations" (1993). Books. Book 4. http://digitalcommons.nyls.edu/fac_books/4 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Faculty Scholarship at DigitalCommons@NYLS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Books by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@NYLS. New York .Evidentiary Foundations RANDOLPH N. JONAKAIT HAROLD BAER, JR. E. STEWART JONES, JR. EDWARD J. IMWINKELRIED THE MICHIE COMPANY Law Publishers CHARLOTIESVILLE, Vlli:GINIA CoPYRIGHT ~ 1H93 BY THE MICHIE COMI'ANY Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 93-77731 ISBN: 1-55834-058-0 All rights reserved. lllllllllllllllllllllllllm IIIII SUMMARY TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Table of Contents . v Chapter 1. Introduction . 1 Chapter 2. Related Procedures .. .. .. .. ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. ..... 11 Chapter 3. The Competency ofWitnesses .......................... 25 Chapter 4. Authentication . 45 Chapter 5. Limitations on Credibility Evidence . 99 Chapter 6. Limitations on Evidence That Is Relevant to the Merits of the Case . 129 Chapter 7. Privileges and Similar Doctrines . 155 Chapter 8. The Best Evidence Rule . 199 Chapter 9. Opinion Evidence ......................................... 225 Chapter 10. The Hearsay Rule, Its Exemptions, and Its Excep- tions ......................................................... 241 Chapter 11. Substitutes for Evidence . .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .. ..... ... .. 315 Index ......................................................................... 329 iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Summary Table of Contents 111 Chapter 1. Introduction .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 · A. Introduction . 1 B. Laying a Foundation - In General . 2 1. -
Trial Witnesses, Un-Lead the Questions
Trial Witnesses, Un-Lead the Questions Prepared by: Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm Persuasion Strategies - a service of Holland & Hart LLP Published on www.lorman.com - May 2019 Trial Witnesses - Un-Lead the Questions, ©2019 Lorman Education Services. All Rights Reserved. Trial Witnesses, Un-Lead the Questions Written by Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm When testifying, there are some situations where a “less is more” rule applies. In a deposition, for example, you don’t want to aid the other side, and will often prefer conciseness. However, when undergoing cross-examination before a jury in trial, less isn’t more…it is less. That is, if you limit yourself to simple “yes” answers, then you have less control (with your adversary choosing all the words) less power (since you’re just confirming the facts that opposing counsel has selected), and less overall usefulness to the jury (since you aren’t saying much). In a courtroom cross-examination, there is a need to find ways to talk more so that you appear to be credible and, in some ways at least, so you function as a teacher for your jury. So, how do you do that if all opposing counsel is doing is giving you statements that are turned into questions by adding, “Wouldn’t you agree…” at the start, or, “Right?” at the end? What you need to do is mentally convert the language of those questions so they’re no longer leading questions. They may be asking you, “You never tested the product with actual consumers, did you?” but the question you want to answer is more like, “What did you do to test the product?” The broader version is better for ensuring that you aren’t just a rubber-stamp for your adversary’s selective claims, but instead get to share your side of the story. -
Leading Questions: a Categorization System Scott and Steward
Leading Questions: A Categorization System Scott and Steward LEADING QUESTIONS: A CATEGORIZATION SYSTEM CLIFFORD D. SCOTT, University of Arkansas—Fort Smith MICHELLE D. STEWARD, Wake Forest University Marketing researchers agree that questionnaire design and specifically, leading questions, can be a significant contributor to total error in survey research. In challenges to research, leading questions are often a central issue. Interestingly, marketing literature on leading questions is mostly circular and lacking in a framework to identify and a process to remedy leading questions. This article focuses on: (a.) current treatment of leading questions and pitfalls of existing definitions; (b.) a synthesis of types of leading questions grounded in semiotics literature which leads to; (c.) a categorization of dimensions in which questions can be assessed to identify and remedy any leading nature of the question; and (d.) a new definition of a leading question. The value of the categorization lies in providing a framework allowing marketing researchers to better comprehend, diagnose and treat leading questions. INTRODUCTION oracle of truth, is subject to creating research to suit the interests of well-heeled contributors A leading question, or a question that “gives the (Goldberg, 2002; Crossen, 1994; Soley, 1995). respondent a strong cue or expectation as to People are deeply skeptical of reported research how to answer,” have long been recognized as a results because they fear the researchers are not significant source of error in survey research asking the right questions and may be (Burns & Bush, 2010, p. 309). Surveys are manipulating the wording of questions to get designed to understand the truth about the the responses they want (Mann & Dionne, views and the behaviors of people who can 2003). -
Chapter 1 - South Carolina Rules of Evidence
TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 - SOUTH CAROLINA RULES OF EVIDENCE ................................... 1 ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISIONS ................................................................................................... 1 Rule 101. Scope .............................................................................................................................................. 1 Rule 102. Purpose and Construction ........................................................................................................ 2 Rule 103. Rulings on Evidence ................................................................................................................... 2 (a) Effect of erroneous ruling. .................................................................................................................. 2 (1) Objection. ............................................................................................................................................. 2 (2) Offer of proof. ...................................................................................................................................... 2 (b) Record of offer and ruling. ................................................................................................................. 2 (c) Hearing of jury. .................................................................................................................................... 3 Rule 104. Preliminary Questions ............................................................................................................... -
Excited Utterances and Present Sense Impressions As Exceptions to the Hearsay Rule in Louisiana H
Louisiana Law Review Volume 29 | Number 4 June 1969 Excited Utterances and Present Sense Impressions as Exceptions to the Hearsay Rule in Louisiana H. Alston Johnson III Repository Citation H. Alston Johnson III, Excited Utterances and Present Sense Impressions as Exceptions to the Hearsay Rule in Louisiana, 29 La. L. Rev. (1969) Available at: https://digitalcommons.law.lsu.edu/lalrev/vol29/iss4/6 This Comment is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Reviews and Journals at LSU Law Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Louisiana Law Review by an authorized editor of LSU Law Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. COMMENTS EXCITED UTTERANCES AND PRESENT SENSE IMPRESSIONS AS EXCEPTIONS TO THE HEARSAY RULE IN LOUISIANA The 1928 Code of Criminal Procedure stipulated that "Hear- say evidence is inadmissible except as otherwise provided in this Code."' No definition of hearsay evidence is provided statu- torily, but it appears that Louisiana courts generally follow the rule that "an assertion made by a person not testifying at the hearing and offered as an assertion to prove the truth of the matter asserted, is hearsay evidence and inadmissible" unless it falls within various recognized exceptions to the rule.2 This definition corresponds substantially to that given in the Uniform Rules of Evidence.' Exceptions to the hearsay rule are numerous. The Uniform Rules, for example, list thirty-one separate exceptions. It is gen- erally recognized that excited utterances and present sense im- pressions are admissible as two of these exceptions to the hearsay exclusionary rule.4 The Uniform Rules provide that statements made while the declarant was under the stress of a nervous excitement, caused by his perception of a certain event or con- dition, are admissible as excited utterances.5 And statements made while the declarant was perceiving the event or condition which the statement narrates, describes, or explains are said to 6 be admissible as present sense impressions. -
Impeachment and Rehabilitation Under the Maryland Rules of Evidence: an Attorney's Guide Paul W
University of Baltimore Law Review Volume 24 Article 4 Issue 1 Fall 1994 1994 Impeachment and Rehabilitation under the Maryland Rules of Evidence: An Attorney's Guide Paul W. Grimm Barton & Wilmer, LLP Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.law.ubalt.edu/ublr Part of the Law Commons Recommended Citation Grimm, Paul W. (1994) "Impeachment and Rehabilitation under the Maryland Rules of Evidence: An Attorney's Guide," University of Baltimore Law Review: Vol. 24: Iss. 1, Article 4. Available at: http://scholarworks.law.ubalt.edu/ublr/vol24/iss1/4 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@University of Baltimore School of Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Baltimore Law Review by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@University of Baltimore School of Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. IMPEACHMENT AND REHABILITATION UNDER THE MARYLAND RULES OF EVIDENCE: AN ATTORNEY'S GUIDE Paul W. Grimmt Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION ............................................... 96 II. O VERVIEW ....................................................... 97 III. RELEVANCE AND RELATED CONCEPTS- RULES 5-401, 5-402, 5-403 ................................... 99 IV. CHARACTER EVIDENCE AND IMPEACHMENT CONCEPTS-RULE 5-404 ................................... 102 V. PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS AND HEARSAY- RU LES 5-104, 5-806 ............................................ 103 VI. IMPEACHMENT IN GENERAL .......................... 105 A. Who May Impeach-Rule 5-607 ...................... 105 B. Mode of Interrogation-Rule5-611 .................. 107 C. Requirement of Personal Knowledge-Rule 5- 602 ............................................................ 112 VII. PRIMARY MEANS OF IMPEACHMENT-RULE 5- 6 16 ................................................................... 114 VIII. CHARACTER FOR TRUTHFULNESS OR UN- TRUTHFULNESS-RULE 5-608 ........................... 117 A. Use of Character Witnesses ............................ 118 1. -
Rule 803(1): Present Sense Impression
Touro Law Review Volume 12 Number 2 Article 26 1996 Rule 803(1): Present Sense Impression Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.tourolaw.edu/lawreview Part of the Courts Commons, and the Evidence Commons Recommended Citation (1996) "Rule 803(1): Present Sense Impression," Touro Law Review: Vol. 12 : No. 2 , Article 26. Available at: https://digitalcommons.tourolaw.edu/lawreview/vol12/iss2/26 This Symposium: The Supreme Court and Local Government Law is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ Touro Law Center. It has been accepted for inclusion in Touro Law Review by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ Touro Law Center. For more information, please contact [email protected]. et al.: FRE and NY Evidence Comparison RULE 803(1): PRESENT SENSE IMPRESSION Federal Rule of Evidence 803(1) states: The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule, even though the declarant is available as a witness: (1) Present sense impression. A statement describing or explaining an event or condition made while the declarant was perceiving the event or condition, or immediately thereafter. 1 The law of evidence was slow to recognize an exception to the hearsay rule for present sense impressions.2 The primary reason for this hesitation was the belief that statements made about an event without an accompanying nervous stimuli might be unreliable.3 The courts felt that, unlike the exception for excited utterances, 4 present sense impressions lacked a sufficient indicia of reliability because they were sought to be admitted based solely upon the contemporaneous making of the statement. -
Suggests Its Own Answer 2. Separate Inquiries 3. Incomprehensible
SHORT LIST OF COMMON OBJECTIONS1 © 2013 NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR TRIAL ADVOCACY OBJECTIONS TO THE FORM SUBSTANTIVE OBJECTIONS OF THE QUESTION 1. LEADING QUESTION (611): question 1. HEARSAY (801(c)): statement, other than made by suggests its own answer the declarant while testifying at trial, offered in 2. COMPOUND QUESTION: contains 2 evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted separate inquiries Exceptions: 3. VAGUE QUESTION: Present sense impression (803(1)) incomprehensible, incomplete, or Excited utterance (802(2)) answer will be ambiguous State of mind (803(3)) 4. ARGUMENTATIVE QUESTION: asks Past recollection recorded (803(5)) the witness to accept the examiner’s Business records (803(6)) summary, inference, or conclusion Reputation as to Character (803(21), 404) rather than a fact Prior testimony (804(b)(1)) 5. NARRATIVES: question calls for a Dying Declaration (804(b)(2)) narrative answer - answer does not Statement against interest (804(b)(3)) allow opposing counsel to frame 2. RELEVANCE (401 & 402): does not make any fact objections of consequence more or less probable 6. ASKED AND ANSWERED: repeats the 3. UNFAIR PREJUDICE (403): Probative value is same question (611(a) cumulative) outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice 7. ASSUMING FACTS NOT IN EVIDENCE: 4. IMPROPER CHARACTER EVIDENCE (404(a)(1)) contains as a predicate a statement of generally, (609) conviction, (608(b)) fact not proven untruthfulness, (608(a)) reputation: character 8. NON-RESPONSIVE ANSWER: answer evidence can’t be used to prove a person acted in does not respond to the question conformity with his or her character 5. LACK OF PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE (602): Witnesses (other than experts) must testify from MAKING AN OBJECTION personal knowledge - sensory perception 6. -
3. Form of Witness Examination
3. FORM OF WITNESS EXAMINATION 1. Judicial Discretion The trial judge has broad discretion to control the procedure of interrogating witnesses and presenting evidence so that the trial furthers three goals: facilitating truth-determination, avoiding waste of time, and protecting witnesses from harassment. 2. Separation of Witnesses At the request of a party, the judge must order witnesses excluded from the courtroom so they cannot hear the testimony of others and (purposely or inadvertently) alter their own testimony to be consistent. Rule 615. The order should include a prohibition against discussing testimony outside the courtroom. The rule does not apply to parties, who may remain in the courtroom. If a party is an organization, it may designate one representative to remain in the courtroom to assist the attorney. In criminal cases, this is usually the lead detective. The judge has discretion to also allow an expert witness to remain in the courtroom and assist counsel in a complex cross-examination of the opposing expert. The victim of a crime may not be designated by the State to remain in the courtroom, but may be called as the first witness and then allowed to remain after testifying. 3. Basic Procedure The basic principle of witness testimony is that it must be presented in question-and-answer format, i.e: a. The attorney asks questions. b. The witness supplies answers. This means three things: a. The attorney must ask a question and not make statements and arguments. If the attorney makes a remark, such as "That's very odd, considering it was pitch dark outside," you may object that "This is a statement, not a question." b.