Massachusetts Guide to Evidence

Preliminary Pages
IN MEMORIAM
Supreme Judicial Court
Preface
Introduction to the 2019 Edition
Supreme Judicial Court Advisory Committee on Massachusetts Evidence Law
Currency, Usage, and Terminology
Table of Contents
Article I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 101. Title
Section 102. Purpose and Construction
Section 103. Rulings on Evidence, Objections, and Offers of Proof
Section 104. Preliminary Questions
Section 105. Limiting Evidence That Is Not Admissible Against Other Parties or for Other Purposes
Section 106. Doctrine of Completeness
Article II
JUDICIAL NOTICE
Section 201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts
Section 202. Judicial Notice of Law
Article III
INFERENCES, PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE, AND PRESUMPTIONS
Section 301. Civil Cases
Section 302. Criminal Cases
Article IV
RELEVANCY AND ITS LIMITS
Section 401. Test for Relevant Evidence
Section 402. General Admissibility of Relevant Evidence
Section 403. Excluding Relevant Evidence for Prejudice, Confusion, Waste of Time, or Other Reasons
Section 404. Character Evidence; Crimes or Other Acts
Section 405. Methods of Proving Character
Section 406. Routine Practice of a Business; Habit of an Individual
Section 407. Subsequent Remedial Measures
Section 408. Compromise Offers and Negotiations in Civil Cases
Section 409. Expressions of Sympathy in Civil Cases; Offers to Pay Medical and Similar Expenses
Section 410. Pleas, Offers of Pleas, and Related Statements
Section 411. Insurance
Section 412. Sexual Behavior or Sexual Reputation (Rape-Shield Law)
Section 413. First Complaint of Sexual Assault
Section 414. Industry and Safety Standards
Article V
PRIVILEGES AND DISQUALIFICATIONS
Section 501. Privileges Recognized Only as Provided
Section 502. Attorney-Client Privilege
Section 503. Psychotherapist-Patient Privilege
Section 504. Spousal Privilege and Disqualification; Parent-Child Disqualification
Section 505. Domestic Violence Victims’ Counselor Privilege
Section 506. Sexual Assault Counselor–Victim Privilege
Section 507. Social Worker–Client Privilege
Section 508. Allied Mental Health or Human Services Professional Privilege
Section 509. Identity of Informer, Surveillance Location, and Protected Witness Privileges
Section 510. Religious Privilege
Section 511. Privilege Against Self-Incrimination
Section 512. Jury Deliberations
Section 513. Medical Peer Review Privilege
Section 514. Mediation Privilege
Section 515. Investigatory Privilege
Section 516. Political Voter Disqualification
Section 517. Trade Secrets
Section 518. Executive or Governmental Privilege
Section 519. State and Federal Tax Returns
Section 520. Tax Return Preparer
Section 521. Sign Language Interpreter–Client Privilege
Section 522. Interpreter-Client Privilege
Section 523. Waiver of Privilege
Section 524. Privileged Matter Disclosed Erroneously or Without Opportunity to Claim Privilege
Section 525. Comment upon or Inference from Claim of Privilege
Section 526. Unemployment Hearing Privilege
Section 527. Judicial Deliberation Privilege
Section 528. Union Member–Union Privilege
Article VI
WITNESSES
Section 601. Competency
Section 602. Need for Personal Knowledge
Section 603. Oath or Affirmation to Testify Truthfully
Section 604. Interpreters
Section 605. Competency of Judge as Witness
Section 606. Juror’s Competency as a Witness
Section 607. Who May Impeach a Witness
Section 608. A Witness’s Character for Truthfulness or Untruthfulness
Section 609. Impeachment by Evidence of Conviction of Crime
Section 610. Religious Beliefs or Opinions
Section 611. Mode and Order of Examining Witnesses and Presenting Evidence
Section 612. Writing or Object Used to Refresh Memory
Section 613. Prior Statements of Witnesses, Limited Admissibility
Section 614. Calling and Examination of Witnesses by Court or Jurors
Section 615. Sequestration of Witnesses
Article VII
OPINION AND EXPERT EVIDENCE
Section 701. Opinion Testimony by Lay Witnesses
Section 702. Testimony by Expert Witnesses
Section 703. Bases of Opinion Testimony by Experts
Section 704. Opinion on Ultimate Issue
Section 705. Disclosure of Facts or Data Underlying Expert Opinion
Section 706. Court-Appointed Experts
Article VIII
HEARSAY
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Section 801. Definitions
Section 802. The Rule Against Hearsay
Section 803. Hearsay Exceptions; Availability of Declarant Immaterial
Section 804. Hearsay Exceptions; Declarant Unavailable
Section 805. Hearsay Within Hearsay
Section 806. Attacking and Supporting Credibility of Hearsay Declarant
Section 807. Residual Exception
Article IX
AUTHENTICATION AND IDENTIFICATION
Section 901. Authenticating or Identifying Evidence
Section 902. Evidence That Is Self-Authenticating
Section 903. Subscribing Witness’s Testimony
Article X
CONTENTS OF WRITINGS AND RECORDS
Section 1001. Definitions That Apply to This Article
Section 1002. Requirement of Original (Best Evidence Rule)
Section 1003. Admissibility of Duplicates
Section 1004. Admissibility of Other Evidence of Content
Section 1005. Official Records
Section 1006. Summaries to Prove Content
Section 1007. Testimony or Statement of Party to Prove Content
Section 1008. Functions of Judge and Fact Finder
Article XI
MISCELLANEOUS SECTIONS
Section 1101. Applicability of Evidentiary Sections
Section 1102. Spoliation or Destruction of Evidence
Section 1103. Sexually Dangerous Person Proceedings
Section 1104. Witness Cooperation Agreements
Section 1105. Third-Party Culprit Evidence
Section 1106. Abuse Prevention and Harassment Prevention Proceedings
Section 1107. Inadequate Police Investigation Evidence
Section 1108. Access to Third-Party Records Prior to Trial in Criminal Cases (Lampron-Dwyer Protocol)
Section 1109. View
Section 1110. Consciousness of Guilt or Liability
Section 1111. Missing Witness
Section 1112. Eyewitness Identification
Section 1113. Opening Statement and Closing Argument; Applicable to Criminal and Civil Cases
Section 1114. Restitution
Section 1115. Evidentiary Issues in Care and Protection, Child Custody, and Termination of Parental Rights Cases
Section 1116. Peremptory Challenges of Potential Jurors
Section 1117. Civil Commitment Hearings for Mental Illness
Section 1118. Civil Commitment Hearings for Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders
Table of Cases
Table of Statutes Rules and References
FEDERAL
MASSACHUSETTS
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES
Index