Chapter 14-18 Rules

Question 1

601

Answer 1

Every person competent to be a witness; in civil cases, state law governs witness competency

Question 2

602

Answer 2

To be competent, witness must have personal knowledge; evidence to prove this may consist of witness own testimony; doesn’t apply to expert witnesses

Question 3

606

Answer 3

At the trial:

• Jury may not testify
• If juror is called, party can object outside jury presence

During inquiry of validity of verdict, juror may not testify about 3 things and there are three exceptions where they can testify.

Question 4

607

Answer 4

Any party, including the party that called the witness, may attack the witness’ credibility

Question 5

608

Answer 5

Witness credibility may be attacked by testimony regarding the witness’ character; extrinsic evidence is not admissible to attack credibility except for a criminal conviction under rule 609

Question 6

609

Answer 6

• Crime punishable by death or imprisonment for more than one year, evidence
• If more than 10 years have passed since witness release
• Evidence of conviction not admissible
• Evidence of juvenile convictions only admissible if

Question 7

611

Answer 7

• Court should control mode and order of examining witnesses
• Scope of cross limited to subject matter of direct
• Leading questions can only be used (on cross, or hostile witness, adverse party, witness associated w/adverse party

Question 8

613

Answer 8

• Lawyer must show adverse party’s attorney their prior statements
• Extrinsic evidence of prior inconsistent statement only admissible if witness is given chance to explain it

Question 9

614

Answer 9

• Court may call a witness
• Court may examine any witness
• Party may object to calling of witness at that time to next time jury isn’t present

Question 10

615

Answer 10

At party’s request, witnesses must be sequestered (except defendant, officer/employer of party, person whose presence is essential, person authorized by statute to be present)