Rules of Evidence Flashcards
(35 cards)
401
Probative; material. More or less probable and of consequence in determining the action.
402
Irrelevant evidence inadmissible
403
evidence may be excluded if probative value substantially outweighed by danger of unfair p, confusing the issues, misleading jury, undue delay, wasting time, or needlessly presenting cumulative evidence
Stipulation?
May be okay in some cases but generally the party offering to stipulate will lose because each side is entitled to make its own case
Specialized relevance rules method
401, then specialized rule, then 403
407
Bar subsequent remedial measures to prove negligence, culpable conduct, product defect, or need for warning
408
Compromises barred to prove validity or amount of claim. Extends to statements made during negotiations and not just the offer itself
409
furnishing, promising to pay, or offering to pay medical hospital, or similar expenses resulting from injury is not admissible to prove liability for the injury.
Difference between medical expenses and negotiations
medical: only the offer to PAY is protected, NOT any other surrounding conversation or admission of fault, or apologies. 408 assumes more conversation around a negotiation is required to achieve the settlement
411
Liability insurance - evidence that a person was or was not insured against liability is not admissible to prove whether the person acted negligently or otherwise wrongfully
410
Pleas, guilty pleas later withdrawn, nolo contendere pleas and discussions relating to withdrawn guilty please and nolo contendere please are not admissible against a defendant in a criminal case
410 Difference from other rules
Evidence under this rule is inadmissible for any purpose except for those explicitly stated in the rule
404(a)
character evidence; cant use it to prove person was acting in accordance with trait
404(a) exceptions
- defendant and pertinent trait, defendant offering victim’s pertinent trait, homicide cases victim trait of peacefulness to rebut evidence that was first aggressor, witness character under 600 rules
404(b)
crimes, wrongs, other acts not admissible to go thru propensity box but admissible to show other stuff under 404(b)(2)
Admissible purposes crimes, wrongs, other acts
motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence of mistake, lack of accident. 404(b)(2)
Forms of unfair prejudice under 404
risk that the jury will give excessive weight to defendant previous action and could take history as reason enough to be punished
404 process
401, 404, 403, then if 403 does not save you, ask for limiting instruction
Huddleston
just 104(b) conditional relevance - judge decides jury can find by a preponderance that condition was met
413
criminal case, admit evidence that d committed any other sexual assault
414
criminal case, admit evidence child molestation
415
civil case, may admit sexual assault or child molestation past conduct
How to prove character?
405 - by direct testimony opinion or reputation. ON CROSS - specific instances
When can character be proved by specific instances of conduct?
On cross-examination of a character witness, when a person’s character is essential element of the crime (applies in limited circumstances)