Trial Evidence: Table of Contents
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
