Witnesses Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is required for a competent witness?
BOTH:
• personal knowledge, and
•oath or affirmation
What is a dead man’s statute? Does it apply under the Federal Rules?
in a civil action, an interested witness is incompetent to testify:
• in own interest…
• against estate of decedent…
• concerning communications or transactions between the witness and decedent
The statute does not apply under the federal rules
Generally, when are leading questions allowed and not allowed?
NOT ALLOWED: direct examination
ALLOWED: cross-examination
When are leading questions allowed on direct examination?
- preliminary/introductory matters
- youthful/forgetful witness
- hostile witness
- adverse party or someone under his control (presumed hostile)
What is the rule regarding refreshing a witness’s memory?
- If a witness’s memory fails him, he may be shown any tangible item to refresh his memory, but the party may not introduce the refreshing item
- the opposing party may inspect the item, use it on cross-examination, and introduce it into evidence
What is the rule for past recollection recorded?
It is a hearsay exception, allowed if (satisfy all):
•writing fails to jog witness’s memory
•witness had personal knowledge formerly
• witness made or adopted writing
• making/adoption occurred while event was fresh in witness’s memory
• witness can vouch for accuracy of writing when made/adopted
When is lay person opinion evidence admissible?
When it is both:
•rationally based on witness’s perception (personal knowledge), and
• would be helpful to jury
What are the three requirements for expert witness opinion testimony?
(1) Qualifications (education and/or experience)
(2) Proper subject matter (specialized knowledge that will be helpful to jury in deciding a fact)
(3) Opinion based on reasonable degree of probability/certainty, drawn from either (i) personal knowledge, (ii) other evidence admitted at trial, or (iii) facts outside the record (hearsay) if of a type reasonably relied upon by experts in the particular field
What factors determine whether expert’s methods are reliable to reach their opinions?
- Testing of principles and methods
- Rate of error
- Acceptance by other experts in some discipline (general acceptance not required)
- Peer review/publication
How may a learned treatise be used in aid of expert testimony?
(hearsay exception)
DIRECT EXAM: read into evidence to corroborate expert (substantive evidence)
CROSS EXAM: read into evidence to impeach and contradict opponent’s expert (substantive evidence)
LIMITATION: may not be introduced as exhibit
Is opinion on an ultimate issue admissible?
Yes, but like other opinion testimony, it must be helpful to the jury.
EXCEPTION: in criminal cases, expert can’t testify directly to a criminal defendant’s mental state
What subject matter is allowed on cross-examination?
BOTH:
• matters within the scope of direct examination, and
• matters that test the witness’s credibility
When is a party allowed to bolster his own witness’s credibility?
Not until the witness’s credibility was attacked.
If a witness has not had her credibility attacked, when may prior CONSISTENT statements be introduced?
When the witness made a prior identification of a person (must also testify at trial and be subject to cross examination)
What methods of impeachment cannot be proven with extrinsic evidence?
- Prior bad acts
* Collateral contradictory facts
When extrinsic evidence is allowed to impeach a witness, must the witness first be asked about the impeaching fact?
No, unless the impeachment is for bias
What are the two ways to use a method of impeachment?
- confronting the witness
* extrinsic evidence
What is the rule for prior inconsistent statements?
- The statement may be used to IMPEACH a witness.
- The statement may be used as SUBSTANTIVE evidence if (1) the witness is currently subject to cross-examination and (2) the prior statement was under oath (3) as part of a formal hearing, proceeding, trial, or deposition
Must a witness be confronted with impeaching prior inconsistent statements while still on the stand?
No, just needs an opportunity at some point to return and explain or deny the inconsistent statement.
EXCEPTION: No opportunity to explain need be given if the witness is the opposing party. (Note that the opposing party’s prior statement is a party admission, and thus non-hearsay.)
What is evidence of bias?
Any fact giving witness a reason to show favoritism or hostility to a party.
What are the confrontation and extrinsic evidence rules for impeachment by bias?
- A witness must be confronted with alleged bias while on the witness stand
- Once the witness is confronted, bias may be proven by extrinsic evidence
What are the confrontation and extrinsic evidence rules for impeachment by sensory deficiencies?
- Confrontation is not required.
* Extrinsic evidence is allowed.
What kind of character evidence is allowed to impeach a witness? What are the confrontation and extrinsic evidence rules?
KIND: Bad reputation or opinion about the witness’s character for truthfulness
CONFRONTATION: not required
EXTRINSIC EVIDENCE: allowed
What is the rule for impeachment by prior criminal conviction?
AUTOMATICALLY ADMISSIBLE: conviction of any crime where the prosecution was required to prove a false statement as an element of the crime
DISCRETIONARY ADMISSIBILITY: Conviction of any other felony, unless probative value on witness’s credibility is outweighed by danger of unfair prejudice to a party
TIME LIMIT: in either category ↑, conviction or release from prison must be within 10 years of trial. If more time has elapsed, not admissible unless the probative value is substantial.
