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Trial Evidence: Table of Contents

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Part VII: Trial Evidence

  • THE FEDERAL RULES OF EVIDENCE……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1
    • RULINGS ON EVIDENCE [FED. EVID. RULE 103]……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1
  • PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [FED. EVID RULE 104]……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2
    • STATEMENTS OF CO-CONSPIRATORS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2
    • WHAT STANDARD IS APPLIED?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2
    • WHAT EVIDENCE MAY BE CONSIDERED?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
    • ACTUAL HEARING REQUIRED?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
    • NOT ENOUGH TO PROVE THE CONSPIRACY OR THAT BOTH ACCUSED AND DECLARANT VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATE IN SAME…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
    • “DURING COURSE”……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
    • “IN FURTHERANCE”……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
    • CO-CONSPIRATOR’S EXCEPTION SHOULD NOT BE EXPANDED……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
    • ADVISORY COMMITTEE OBSERVED DISTINCTION BETWEEN HEARSAY RULE AND CONFRONTATION CLAUSE…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
    • IS THERE A CONFRONTATION OBJECTION BEYOND HEARSAY?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
    • OTHER QUESTIONS OF ADMISSIBILITY UNDER RULE 104(a)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9
    • RULES OF EVIDENCE NOT APPLICABLE……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9
    • RELEVANCY CONDITIONED ON FACT [FED. EVID. RULE 104(b)]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10
    • “OTHER CRIMES” EVIDENCE [RULE 404(b)]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10
    • HEARINGS OUT OF PRESENCE OF JURY [FED. EVID. RULE 104(c)]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
    • TESTIMONY BY THE ACCUSED R. EVID. Rule 104(d)………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
    • ADVISORY COMMITTEE’S NOTE RULE 104………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
  • INSTRUCTIONS ON LIMITED ADMISSIBILITY R. EVID. RULE 105………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13
  • RULE OF COMPLETENESS………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14
    • REMAINDERS OF OR RELATED WRITINGS OR RECORDED STATEMENTS (“RULE OF COMPLETENESS”) [FED. EVID. RULE 106]……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14
    • TEXAS RULE 106………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15
    • TEXAS RULE 107………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15
    • RULE OF OPTIONAL COMPLETENESS………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15
  •  [JUDICIAL NOTICEFED. EVID. RULE 201]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16
    • JUDICIAL RECORDS………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17
    • OFFICIAL RECORDS………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17
    • OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD [FED. EVID. RULE 201(e)]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17
    • INSTRUCTING THE JURY REGARDING JUDICIAL NOTICE [FED. EVID.
    • RULE 201(g)]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17
  • RELEVANCY AND ITS LIMITS [FED. EVID. RULE 401]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 18
    • THE “OVERRIDE” RULE………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 18
    • EXCLUSION OF RELEVANT EVIDENCE ON GROUNDS OF PREJUDICE, CONFUSION OR WASTE OF TIME [FED. EVID. RULE 403]……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 18
    • CHARACTER EVIDENCE NOT ADMISSIBLE TO PROVE CONDUCT[FED. R. EVID. RULE 404]……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 19
    • Exceptions………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 19
      • Character Evidence Generally……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 19
      • Character of Accused [FED. EVID. Rule 404(a)(1)]……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 19
      • Offered by Accused……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 19
      • Offered by Prosecution to Rebut Same………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20
      • Character of Victim [FED. EVID. Rule 404(a)(2)]……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20
      • Character of Witness [FED. EVID. Rule 404(a)(3)]……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20
    • OTHER CRIMES, WRONGS, OR ACTS [FED. R. RULE 404(b)]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20
    • Motive………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 21
    • Intent………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 22
    • Relevancy………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23
    • Balancing Test………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23
    • Plan………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 24
    • Knowledge………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 24
    • Identity………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 24
    • Absence of Mistake or Accident………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 25
    • ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 25
    • Rebut a Defensive ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 25
    • ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 25
    • Order of ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 26
    • Removing Issue………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 26
    • PRIOR NOTICE OF “OTHER CRIMES” EVIDENCE………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 26
  • METHODS OF PROVING CHARACTER [FED. EVID. Rule 405]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
    • Reputation or ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
    • Specific Instances of Conduct………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
    • PROOF OF CHARACTER [FED. EVID. RULES 405(a) AND 608(a)]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
    • BY REPUTATION TESTIMONY………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
    • BY OPINION TESTIMONY………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 28
    • HABIT: ROUTINE PRACTICE FED. EVID. RULE 406………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 30
    • LIMITATION ON CROSS-EXAMINATION OF CHARACTER WITNESS………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 30
    • COMPROMISE AND OFFERS TO COMPROMISE RULE 408 AND THE 2006 UPDATES
    • ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 30
  • PRIVILEGES………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 31
    • GENERAL RULE [FED. EVID. RULE 501]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 31
    • PHYSICIAN-PATIENT AND PRIEST-PENITENT PRIVILEGE………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 32
    • MARITAL PRIVILEGES………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 32
    • ADVERSE SPOUSAL TESTIMONY MARITAL COMMUNICATIONS………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 32
    • ADVERSE TESTIMONIAL PRIVILEGE VESTS IN TESTIFYING SPOUSE………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 33
    • COVERT ACT AND COMMUNICATIONS………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 33
    • NEED NOT BE CONFIDENTIAL………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 33
    • PRIVILEGE APPLIES TO MATTERS PRIOR TO MARRIAGE………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 33
    • CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE EXCEPTION APPLIES ONLY TO “CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS PRIVILEGE” NOT “ADVERSE TESTIMONIAL PRIVILEGE”. 34
    • TESTIMONY NEED NOT BE TECHNICALLY INCRIMINATING TO BE “ADVERSE” 34 CRUEL TRILEMMA……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 34
    • ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 34
    • FEDERAL………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 34
      • ATTORNEY/CLIENT PRIVILEGE IS APPLICABLE TO GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 35
      • COMPELLING GRAND JURY WITNESS TO INVOKE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE35 ATTORNEY-CLIENT……………………………………………………………………………………………… 36
      • WHERE THE VERY EXISTENCE OF THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MIGHT BE INCRIMINATING TO A CLIENT, SAME MAY UNDER LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES BE PRIVILEGED……………………………………………………………………………………………… 36
    • THE “LAST LINK EXCEPTION” 37
    • THE “LEGAL ADVICE” EXCEPTION: 38
    • THE CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION EXCEPTION: 39
      • CLIENT WITH PENDING CASE……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 39
      • DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN AN INDIVIDUAL AND “A LAWYER REPRESENTING ANOTHER IN A MATTER OF COMMON INTEREST” ARE PRIVILEGED……………………………………………………………………………………………… 40
      • JOINT DEFENSE/REPRESENTATION……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 40
      • PRIVILEGE ATTACHES “FROM THE INITIAL SALUTATION AND GREETING ON”……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 41
      • PRIVILEGE MUST BE WAIVED BY ALL DEFENDANTS……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 41
      • WRITTEN AGREEMENT NOT NECESSARY……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 41
      • ONE WITH RETAINED COUNSEL IN A MATTER MAY NOT BE CONTACTED BY THE PROSECUTION……………………………………………………………………………………………… 41
      • COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN CORPORATIONS AND CORPORATE COUNSEL……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 43
      • PRIVILEGE PROTECTS COMMUNICATIONS AT MEETING BETWEEN “PERSONS SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE INDICTMENT” AND THEIR LAWYER……………………………………………………………………………………………… 43
      • CRIME-FRAUD EXCEPTION……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 44
      • IN CAMERA REVIEW……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 45
      • PRELIMINARY REQUIREMENT OF RELEVANCY……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 46
      • PRELIMINARY REQUIREMENT OF NEED……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 46
      • GRANT OF IMMUNITY TO CLIENT DOES NOT DESTROY ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE……………………………………………………………………………………………… 47
      • LAW OFFICE SEARCHES……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 47
    • STATE………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 48
      • TEXAS HAS BROADER MORE ENCOMPASSING ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 48
  • WITNESSES………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 49
    • GENERAL RULE OF COMPETENCY [FED. EVID. RULE 601]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 49
    • HYPNOTICALLY ENHANCED TESTIMONY CANNOT BE AUTOMATICALLY EXCLUDED……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 49
    • COMPETENCY OF JUDGE AS WITNESS [FED. EVID. RULE 605]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 50
    • WHO MAY IMPEACH [FED. EVID. RULE 607]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 50
  • EVIDENCE OF CHARACTER AND CONDUCT OF WITNESS [FED. R. RULE 608] ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 50
    • OPINION AND REPUTATION EVIDENCE OF CHARACTER………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 50
    • SPECIFIC INSTANCES OF CONDUCT………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 51
    • IMPEACHMENT BY EVIDENCE OF CONVICTION OF CRIME [FED. R.
    • RULE 609]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 51
    • REMOTENESS [FED. EVID. RULE 609(b)]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 52
    • FINALITY OF CONVICTION [FED. EVID. RULE 609(c)]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 52
      • STATE……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 52
      • FEDERAL……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 53
    • DETAILS OF OFFENSE ARE INADMISSIBLE………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 53
    • EFFECT OF PARDON, ANNULMENT OR CERTIFICATION OF REHABILITATION [FED. EVID. Rule 609(c)]……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 53
      • DISTINCTION BETWEEN STATE AND FEDERAL……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 53
      • State:……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 53
      • Federal……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 53
  • MODE OF INTERROGATION [FED. EVID. RULE 611]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 54
    • SCOPE OF CROSS-EXAMINATION [FED. EVID. RULE 611(b)]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 54
    • LEADING QUESTIONS [FED. EVID. RULE 611(c)]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 55
    • PRIOR STATEMENTS OF WITNESSES [FED. EVID. RULE 613]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 55
    • BIAS, MOTIVE OR PREJUDICE………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 56
  • OPINIONS AND EXPERT TESTIMONY………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 58
    • OPINION TESTIMONY BY LAY WITNESSES [FED. EVID. RULE 701]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 58
    • OPINION ON ULTIMATE ISSUE [FED. EVID. RULE 704]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 58
    • TESTIMONY AS TO ULTIMATE ISSUE………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 58
    • SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE-ADMISSIBILITY………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 59
    • FRYE’S INSISTENCE ON GENERAL ACCEPTANCE OF EXPERT (SCIENTIFIC) EVIDENCE REJECTED FOR FEDERAL TRIALS……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 59
    • TRIAL JUDGE DETERMINES IF EVIDENCE IS SCIENTIFIC AND HELPFUL………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 59
    • DISCRETION TO ADMIT POLYGRAPHS………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 60
  • HEARSAY………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 62
    • HEARSAY EXCEPTIONS………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 62
    • 801(c) A STATEMENT IS NOT HEARSAY IF IT IS NOT OFFERED FOR THE TRUTH OF THE MATTERS ASSERTED……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 62
    • 801(d) STATEMENTS WHICH ARE NOT HEARSAY:………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 62
      • ADMISSION OF A PARTY OPPONENT [FED. EVID. RULE 801(d)(2)]……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 63
      • STATEMENTS OF CO-CONSPIRATORS……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 65
      • NOT WITHIN CO-CONSPIRATOR EXCEPTION……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 66
    • HEARSAY EXCEPTIONS………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 66
    • Availability of Declarant Immaterial [FED. EVID. Rule 803]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 66
    • DECLARANT UNAVAILABLE [FED. EVID. RULE 804]………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 69
  • COMPULSORY PROCESS OF DEFENSE WITNESSES………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 71
  • IMMUNITY FOR DEFENSE WITNESSES………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 71
  • JUDGE MAY NOT COMMENT ON THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE CONSIDERED .. 73
  • A NOTE ON EVIDENCE CONSIDERED AT SENTENCING…………………………………………………………………………………. 74
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