Evidence

Note: All Evidence questions should be answered according to the Federal Rules of Evidence.

I. Presentation of evidence

A. Introduction of evidence

1. Requirement of personal knowledge
2. Refreshing recollection
3. Objections and offers of proof
4. Lay opinions
5. Competency of witnesses
6. Judicial notice
7. Roles of judge and jury
8. Limited admissibility

B. Presumptions
C. Mode and order

1. Control by court
2. Scope of examination
3. Form of questions
4. Exclusion of witnesses

D. Impeachment, contradiction, and rehabilitation

1. Inconsistent statements and conduct
2. Bias and interest
3. Conviction of crime
4. Specific instances of conduct
5. Character for truthfulness
6. Ability to observe, remember, or relate accurately
7. Impeachment of hearsay declarants
8. Rehabilitation of impeached witnesses

E. Proceedings to which evidence rules apply

II. Relevancy and reasons for excluding relevant
evidence

A. Probative value

1. Relevancy
2. Exclusion for unfair prejudice, confusion, or waste of time

B. Authentication and identification
C. Character and related concepts

1. Admissibility of character
2. Methods of proving character
3. Habit and routine practice
4. Other crimes, acts, transactions, and events

D. Expert testimony and scientific evidence

1. Qualifications of witnesses
2. Bases of testimony
3. Ultimate issue rule
4. Reliability of scientific evidence

E. Real, demonstrative, and experimental evidence

III. Privileges and other policy exclusions

A. Spousal immunity and marital communications
B. Attorney-client and work product
C. Physician/psychotherapist-patient
D. Self-incrimination
E. Other privileges
F. Insurance coverage
G. Remedial measures
H. Compromise, payment of medical expenses, and plea negotiations
I. Past sexual conduct

IV. Writings, recordings, and photographs

A. Requirement of original
B. Summaries
C. Completeness rule

V. Hearsay and circumstances of its admissibility

A. Definition of hearsay

1. What is hearsay
2. Prior statements by witness
3. Statements attributable to party-opponent
4. Multiple hearsay

B. Present sense impressions and excited utterances
C. Statements of mental, emotional, or physical condition
D. Statements for purposes of medical diagnosis and treatment
E. Past recollection recorded
F. Business records
G. Public records and reports
H. Learned treatises
I. Former testimony; depositions
J. Statements against interest
K. Other exceptions to the hearsay rule