California Evidence

EVIDENCE OUTLINE

INTRODUCTION
-Basics of Evidence 1
-Process of Proof & the Adversarial System 1
-Making and Meeting Objections 1
-Common Objections 2

RELEVANCE
-Relevant Evidence 2
-Stipulations 2
-Components of Relevant Evidence 2
-Balancing Test 2
-Proposition 8 2

EVIDENCE EXCLUDED BY EXTRINSIC POLICIES

CHARACTER EVIDENCE
-Types of Character Evidence 3
-Character Trait at Issue 3
-Conduct in Conformity & Exceptions 3
-Relevant Non-Propensity Purpose 4

OTHER POLICY EXCLUSIONS
-Habit and Custom 5
-Similar Occurrences 5
-Subsequent Precautions 5
-Pleas in Criminal Cases 6
-Compromise Offers in Civil Cases 6
-Liability Insurance 7
-Expressions of Sympathy 7
-Mediation 7

HEARSAY

GENERAL RULE
-What is Hearsay? 7
-Non-Hearsay Purposes 8

BURDEN OF PROOF
-Sufficiency Test 9
-Preponderance Standard 9

6th AMENDMENT ISSUES
-Unavailable Witness 9
-Confrontation Clause 9

EXCLUSIONS & EXCEPTIONS
-Admissions 10
-Prior Witness Statements 12
-Declaration Against Interest 13
-Dying Declarations 14
-Excited Utterances 14
-Contemporaneous Statement 14
-State of Mind Declarations 15
-Statements by Crime Victims 15
-Persons Prevented from Testifying 16

HEARSAY EXCEPTIONS FOR DOCUMENTS
-Business Records 16
-Official Record by Public Employee 16
-Records and the Confrontation Clause 17

OTHER EXCEPTIONS
-Former Testimony 17
-Learned Treatise Exception 17
-Commercial Lists 18
-Judgments 18

AUTHENTICATION
-The Best Evidence Rule 18
-Secondary Evidence Rule 19
-Completeness Doctrine 20

WITNESSES

COMPETENCY & CREDIBILITY
-Competency of Witnesses 21
-Persons Disqualified by Statute or Rule 21
-Post-Verdict Challenges 22

IMPEACHING WITNESSES
-Impeaching Witnesses 22
-Character Evidence and Impeachment 22
-Prior Convictions 23
-Impaired Capacity 24
-Bias or Interest 24
-Religious Beliefs 24

EXPERT TESTIMONY AND THE OPINION RULE