Law and Evidence: A Primer for Criminal Justice, Criminology, and Legal Studies

Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 Overview of Evidence
1.1 Introduction: The Nature of Evidence
1.2 Justice Practitioners and Evidence Law
1.3 Suggested Readings On Evidence Law
1.4 Sources of Evidence Law
1.5 The Content and Quality of Good Evidence
1.5.1 The Nature of Relevancy
1.5.2 The Nature of Materiality
1.5.3 Relevant and Material Yet Inadmissible Evidence
1.6 Types and Forms of Evidence
1.6.1 Judicially Noticed Evidence
1.6.2 Direct Evidence
1.6.3 Circumstantial Evidence
1.6.4 Testimonial Evidence
1.6.5 Personal Knowledge
1.6.6 Opinion Evidence
1.6.7 Character Evidence
1.6.8 Documentary Evidence
1.6.9 Hearsay Evidence
1.6.10 Exceptions to the Hearsay Rule
1.6.10.1 Prior Statements Under Oath
1.6.10.2 Admission Against Interest
1.6.10.3 Present Sense Impressions
1.6.10.4 Excited Utterances
1.6.10.5 Dying Declarations
1.6.10.6 Recorded Recollections
1.6.10.7 Records/Government Documents/Vital Statistics
1.6.10.8 Matters of Pedigree
1.6.10.9 Miscellaneous Exceptions
1.7 The Weight of Evidence
1.7.1 Presumptions
1.8 Burdens of Proof
1.8.1 Types of Burdens
1.9 Summary
Notes
Chapter 2 Real Evidence
2.1 The Nature of Real Evidence
2.2 Relevancy of Real Evidence
2.3 The Authentication of Real Evidence
2.4 Real Evidence and the Chain of Custody
2.4.1 Packaging and Evidence Preservation
2.5 Practice Pointers On Real Evidence
2.6 Summary
Notes
Chapter 3 Demonstrative Evidence
3.1 The Nature of Demonstrative Evidence
3.2 Photographic Evidence
3.2.1 Relevancy of Photographic Evidence
3.2.2 Laying the Foundation of a Photograph: Authentication
3.2.3 Legal Challenges to Photographic Evidence
3.2.3.1 Gruesome Content
3.2.3.2 Tampering/Alteration
3.2.3.3 Chain of Custody
3.2.3.4 The Silent Witness Theory
3.3 Video, Motion Pictures and Surveillance Evidence
3.3.1 Tactical Uses of Videotapes
3.3.2 The Day-In-The-Life Videotape
3.4 X-Rays and Other Diagnostic Imagery
3.4.1 Thermogram/MRI Results
3.5 Digital Photography
3.6 Models
3.6.1 Accuracy
3.6.2 Authentication
3.6.3 Acquiring Models
3.6.4 Models and Litigation
3.7 Charts, Maps, Diagrams, Illustrations and Other Drawings
3.8 Computer Graphics and Animation
3.9 Miscellaneous Demonstrative Evidence
3.9.1 Recordings/Tapes/Voiceprints
3.9.2 Experiments and Reconstructions
3.9.3 Transparencies/PowerPoints and Other Displays
3.10 Practice Pointers On Demonstrative Evidence
3.10.1 Prepare Early
3.10.2 Deal With Reputable People/Reputable Companies
3.10.3 Organize the Evidence
3.10.4 Don’t Overdo It!
3.10.5 Prepare the Witnesses
3.10.6 Obtain Admissions/Stipulations
3.10.7 Prepare Exhibit Lists
3.10.8 Be Sure to Lay a Foundation
3.10.9 Authenticate, Authenticate, Authenticate
3.10.10 Make Sure the Evidence Accomplishes Its Purpose
3.11 Summary
Notes
Chapter 4 Documentary Evidence
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Rules of Admissibility
4.2.1 The Best Evidence Rule
4.2.2 The Best Evidence Rule: Exceptions
4.2.2.1 Official Documents/Public Records
4.2.2.2 Summaries
4.2.2.3 Testimony Or Written Admission of a Party
4.2.2.4 Hearsay
4.3 Authentication and Identification
4.3.1 Authentication By Author
4.3.2 Authentication of Business/Medical Records
4.3.3 Authentication By Handwriting Analysis: Lay Witnesses
4.3.4 Authentication By Handwriting Analysis: Expert Witnesses
4.3.5 Process of Comparison
4.4 Practice Pointers On Documentary Evidence
4.5 Summary
Notes
Chapter 5 Lay Witnesses
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Lay Witness Competency
5.3 The Scope of Lay Testimony
5.4 Identification and Interview of Lay Witnesses
5.4.1 Identification and Screening
5.4.2 Witness Interviews and Information Gathering
5.5 Preparing Witnesses for Litigation
5.5.1 The Human Element
5.5.2 Cross-Examination
5.6 Summary
Notes
Chapter 6 Expert Evidence
6.1 Introduction: The Nature of an Expert
6.2 The Admissibility of Expert Evidence
6.2.1 “Crossing the Barrier of Judicial Acceptability” Or Being “Helpful”: The Threshold of Expert Evidence
6.2.2 Expert Opinion
6.2.3 Science Or Junk
6.3 The Ultimate Issue Doctrine
6.4 Qualifications of the Expert
6.4.1 Experience
6.4.2 Education and Training
6.4.3 Professional Associations and Other Memberships
6.4.4 Publications, Conferences and Presentations
6.4.5 Human Traits and Characteristics of the Expert
6.5 Locating Experts
6.5.1 Advertisements
6.5.2 Academic Experts
6.5.3 Directories of Expert Services
6.5.4 Private Consulting Services
6.6 Expert Service Contracts
6.7 Preparing an Expert for Trial
6.7.1 Testimonial Suggestions
6.7.2 Personality and Demeanor
6.8 Cross-Examination and Impeachment
6.8.1 Bias Or Conflict of Interest
6.8.2 Qualifications
6.8.3 Experience and Employment
6.8.4 Contrary Authority
6.8.5 Attacking the Expert’s Opinion
6.8.6 Character
6.9 Summary
Notes
Chapter 7 Admissions and Stipulations
7.1 Introduction: Pretrial Evidentiary Requests
7.2 Admissions: Purpose and Effect
7.2.1 Procedural Aspects of Requests for Admission
7.2.2 Responding to Requests for Admission
7.3 Drafting Requests for Admission
7.4 Drafting Responsive Pleadings to the Requests
7.5 Stipulations
7.6 Stipulation Pleadings
7.7 Summary
Notes
Chapter 8 Motion Practice and Evidence
8.1 Introduction: Motions and Evidence Law
8.2 Motions On the Production of Evidence
8.2.1 Motion for a Physical Or Mental Examination
8.2.2 Motion to Produce Documentation
8.2.3 Motions to Compel Discovery
8.2.4 Motion to Inspect Or View a Premises
8.3 Motions in Limine
8.3.1 Motions as to the Quality and Content of Evidence
8.3.2 Motion to Strike
8.3.3 Motion for Summary Judgment
8.3.4 Motion to Dismiss
8.3.5 Motion for a Default Judgment
8.4 Motions to Exclude On Constitutional Theories
8.4.1 Motions for Posttrial Relief
8.5 Summary
Notes
Chapter 9 Trial Evidence
9.1 Introduction: Evidence at Trial
9.2 Exhibits: Rules of Admissibility
9.2.1 Marking for Identification
9.2.2 Laying the Foundation
9.2.3 Exhibit Examination By Opposing Counsel
9.2.4 Offering the Exhibit Into Evidence
9.2.5 Judge’s Inspection of the Exhibit
9.2.6 Opposing Counsel’s Questioning of Authenticator
9.2.7 Ruling On Admissibility
9.2.8 Testimony Relative to the Exhibit
9.2.9 Exhibit Goes to the Jury
9.3 Practice Pointers On Trial Evidence
9.3.1 Importance of a Trial Notebook
9.3.2 Preparing Exhibits for Trial
9.3.3 Copies and Reproductions
9.3.4 Labeling Exhibits
9.4 Summary
Notes
Appendix A
Appendix B: First Judicial District of Pennsylvania: In The Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia
Plaintiff(s) Request For Production of Documents Directed To Defendant(s)
Definitions
Requests
Appendix C:
Index