Source: https://ceb.com/effective-introduction-of-evidence-in-california
Timestamp: 2019-01-23 15:25:33
Document Index: 225961698

Matched Legal Cases: ['§354', '§402', '§402', '§403', '§403', '§403', '§405', '§405', '§404', '§607', '§772', '§776', '§1220', '§1220', '§1221', '§1222', '§1223', '§1224', '§1225', '§1226', '§1227', '§403', '§780', '§28', '§721', '§352', 'arty\n1', '§451', '§452', '§451', '§451', '§452', '§452', '§451', '§452', '§452', '§405', '§403', '§1856', '§1235', '§1202', '§352', '§1521', '§1521', '§1523', '§1523', '§1523', '§405', '§1250', '§1250', '§1260', '§1261', '§1260', '§11', '§26', '§19', '§20', '§20', '§54', '§24', '§24', '§24', '§24', '§20', '§24', '§36', '§31', '§31', '§492', '§31', '§35', '§35', '§37', '§37', '§956', '§43', '§45', '§351', '§45']

Effective Introduction of Evidence in California | Legal Resources | CEB
“This highly practical chapter [on electronic and social media evidence] will give all attorneys who study it a big leg up in the courtroom setting.”
This authoritative guide to the California Evidence Code includes a timely chapter on electronic and social media evidence and succinctly treats other areas of the code in their own chapters, providing a veritable roadmap to statutory and case law. In Effective Introduction of Evidence in California, 2d Ed., highly experienced attorneys take you through the preparation and presentation of evidence, so that you can confidently examine and cross-examine witnesses in civil or criminal trials, hearings, and depositions.
Covers all California Evidence Code topics
Gives practical guidance in planning and presenting evidence
Saves time with sample questions and offers of proof
Shows grounds to raise and respond to objections
Includes checklists tailored to specific evidence
Supports evidentiary presentations with full legal authority
Addresses the evolving rules governing electronic and social media evidence, among them:
Definitions and general principles governing admission of ESI (Electronically Stored Information) and social media
Processes for authenticating ESI, social media, hardware, and software
Testimony on ESI and social media evidence: information to elicit, sample questions, use of witnesses
Text, instant, and chat room messages
OnLAW CP94230
Print CP33230
2d edition, looseleaf, updated 10/18
Add OnLAW to print CP94230(40)
Richard P. Caputo
II. DIRECT EXAMINATION AT TRIAL AND DEPOSITIONS
A. Rules for Effective Questioning 1.2
1. Make Your Questions Easily Understood 1.3
2. Be Sure Jurors Can Hear You 1.4
3. Be Sure Jurors Can Hear Witness 1.5
4. Listen to Witness’s Answers to Your Questions 1.6
5. Ask Questions Concerning Every Aspect of Each Important Piece of Evidence 1.7
6. Appeal to Jurors Who Learn by Seeing and Doing as Well as to Those Who Learn by Listening 1.8
7. Make Your Questions Interesting 1.9
8. Put Your Witnesses on in Strategic Order 1.10
9. Try to Ask Questions That Will Not Be Objectionable 1.11
10. Do Not Argue With Witness 1.12
11. Require Witness to Testify to Facts Rather Than to Subjective Conclusions 1.13
12. Do Not Repeat Questions 1.14
B. Differences Between Questioning at Trial and Depositions 1.15
III. QUESTIONING AT PRELIMINARY HEARING IN CRIMINAL CASE 1.16
IV. EXAMINATION TECHNIQUES
A. Leading Versus Nonleading Questions 1.17
1. Good Questions 1.18
2. Poor Questions 1.19
V. SOURCES 1.20
VI. CHART: TRIAL OBJECTIONS 1.21
Planning Case: Securing Witnesses and Evidence; Witness Preparation; Trial Notebook
II. PLANNING YOUR CASE
A. Using Evidence to Tell a Story 2.2
B. Creating Trial Outline
1. Description 2.3
2. Sample: Plaintiff’s Partial Trial Outline 2.4
III. SECURING WITNESSES AND EVIDENCE
A. Deciding Which Witnesses to Subpoena 2.5
1. General Pretrial Requirements 2.6
2. Requirements for Witnesses 2.7
B. Evaluating Documentary or Other Physical Evidence 2.8
IV. PREPARING WITNESSES
A. Meet With Each Witness Before Trial 2.9
B. Common Topics of Discussion 2.10
C. Preparing Expert Witnesses 2.11
V. TRIAL NOTEBOOK
A. Description 2.12
1. Office Files Are Foundation of Trial Notebook 2.13
2. When to Start Trial Notebook 2.14
B. How to Prepare Trial Notebook 2.15
VI. SOURCES 2.16
How to Combat Objections: In Limine Evidentiary Motions; Bench Conferences; Offers of Proof
E. Stewart Moritz
II. HOW TO COMBAT OBJECTIONS 3.2
III. IN LIMINE EVIDENTIARY MOTIONS
A. Description 3.3
1. Elements of Motion In Limine 3.4
2. Purpose 3.5
1. Who Makes Motion 3.6
2. Form of Motion 3.7
3. Timing of Motion 3.8
C. Possible Rulings 3.9
D. Misuse of Motion In Limine 3.10
E. Effect of Motion
1. Excluding Evidence 3.11
2. Preserving Issue for Appeal
a. If Trial Court Excludes the Evidence 3.12
b. If Trial Court Admits the Evidence 3.12A
F. Alternatives to In Limine Motions 3.13
G. Table: Should In Limine Motion Be Made? 3.14
H. Sample Motions In Limine
1. Oral Motion to Exclude Evidence 3.15
2. Oral Motion to Admit Evidence 3.16
IV. BENCH CONFERENCES
A. Description 3.17
B. When Bench Conferences Appropriate 3.18
C. Disadvantages of Bench Conferences 3.19
D. Sample Approach to Bench by Proponent 3.20
V. OFFERS OF PROOF
A. Description 3.21
B. Timing 3.22
C. Table: Elements of Offer of Proof (Evid C §354) 3.23
D. Reasons to Make Offer of Proof 3.24
E. When Offer of Proof Is Not Required 3.25
F. Sample Offer of Proof 3.26
A. Evidence Code 3.27
B. Other 3.28
Laying a Foundation: Preliminary Fact Hearings (Evid C §§402–405)
II. GENERAL PROCEDURES
A. When Preliminary Fact Finding Is Necessary (Evid C §402) 4.2
B. When In Limine Motion Should Be Made 4.3
C. Whether Hearing Should Be In or Out of Jury’s Presence 4.4
D. Judge Has Broad Discretion 4.5
E. No Objection Required at Deposition 4.6
F. Check Local Court Rules 4.7
G. When Proffered Evidence Ruled Inadmissible 4.8
III. EVIDENCE CODE §403 HEARINGS
A. Preliminary Facts Subject to Evid C §403 Hearing 4.9
B. Burden of Proof at Evid C §403 Hearing 4.10
C. Conditional Admission of Proffered Evidence 4.11
D. If Judge Decides to Allow Jurors to Hear Proffered Evidence 4.12
E. Judge Required to Instruct Jurors on Their Duty 4.13
IV. EVIDENCE CODE §405 HEARINGS
A. Preliminary Facts Subject to Evid C §405 Hearing 4.14
B. Judge to Decide Which Party Has Burden of Producing Evidence, and to Specify Burden of Proof 4.15
C. Whether Proponent Should Make In Limine Motion 4.16
D. When Preliminary Fact Is Also Fact in Issue 4.17
E. Judge’s Ruling on Preliminary Fact Is Final 4.18
F. Jury Instructions [Deleted] 4.19
V. EVIDENCE CODE §404 HEARINGS 4.20
VI. SAMPLE QUESTIONS 4.21
VII. CHECKLISTS
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 4.22
B. Alternative Methods of Admissibility 4.23
A. Evidence Code 4.24
B. Other 4.25
Order of Proof and of Witness Examination
II. ORDER OF PROOF
A. Ground Rules for Order of Proof (CCP §607) 5.2
1. Court May Conditionally Admit Evidence Out of Order 5.3
2. Court May Call Its Own Witnesses to Testify 5.4
3. Severance or Bifurcation Affects Order of Proof
a. In Civil Cases 5.5
b. In Criminal Cases 5.6
B. Factors to Consider Concerning Order of Witnesses 5.7
III. ORDER OF WITNESS EXAMINATION
A. Order of Examination of Each Witness (Evid C §772(a)) 5.8
B. Each Phase to Be Completed Before Next Begins 5.9
C. Descriptions of Each Stage of Witness Examination
1. Direct Examination 5.10
2. Cross-Examination 5.11
3. Redirect Examination 5.12
4. Recross-Examination 5.13
D. Questions Not Within Scope of Previous Examination 5.14
A. Evidence Code 5.15
B. Code of Civil Procedure 5.16
C. Penal Code 5.17
D. Other 5.18
Calling Adverse Parties or Witnesses; Recalling or Excluding Witnesses
II. CALLING ADVERSE PARTIES OR WITNESSES
A. Rules That Apply to Examination Under Evid C §776 6.2
1. Leading Questions Permissible 6.3
2. Counsel for All Other Parties May Also Examine Witness 6.4
B. Procedure for Compelling Adverse Party or Party-Related Witness to Appear 6.5
C. Criminal Cases 6.6
D. Table: Strategy Considerations in Calling Adverse Party or Witness 6.7
III. RECALLING WITNESSES
A. Recalling Excused Witness Usually Not Permitted 6.8
1. Exception to Rule 6.9
2. Asking Court to Excuse Witness Subject to Being Recalled Later 6.10
B. Excused Witness No Longer Bound by Court’s Witness Exclusion Order 6.11
C. Strategic Considerations 6.12
IV. EXCLUDING WITNESSES
A. Motion and Order to Exclude Witnesses 6.13
1. Expert Witnesses Sometimes Allowed to Remain in Courtroom 6.14
2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Having Judge Exclude Witnesses 6.15
B. Penalty for Disobeying Exclusion Order 6.16
C. Excluding Witnesses at Preliminary Hearing 6.17
A. Evidence Code 6.18
B. Other 6.19
Evidence Offered for a Limited Purpose
A. Definition 7.2
B. Party’s Request for Limited Admissibility 7.3
1. When Desirable 7.4
2. Court’s Limiting Instructions 7.5
III. SAMPLE QUESTIONS 7.6
IV. COMMENT 7.7
A. Evidence Code 7.8
B. Other 7.9
Accidents: Absence of Similar Ones
A. To Admit 8.2
B. To Object 8.3
III. SAMPLE QUESTIONS
A. Information to Elicit 8.4
B. Questions to Ask 8.5
A. Few Cases on Point 8.6
B. Objection: Lack of Similar Conditions of Use 8.7
C. Consider In Limine Motion 8.8
V. CHECKLISTS
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 8.9
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 8.10
A. Evidence Code 8.11
B. Other 8.12
Accidents: Prior or Subsequent Ones
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 9.1
A. To Admit 9.2
B. To Object 9.3
A. Evidence Offered to Show Notice of Dangerous Condition
1. Information to Elicit 9.4
2. Questions to Ask 9.5
B. Evidence Offered of Prior Accident in Same Location
1. Information to Elicit 9.6
2. Questions to Ask 9.7
C. Evidence of Prior or Subsequent Accidents Involving Same or Similar Products
1. Information to Elicit 9.8
2. Questions to Ask 9.9
A. Relevancy Is Primary Consideration 9.10
B. Evidence of Accidents Obtained Through Discovery 9.11
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 9.12
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 9.13
VI. SOURCES 9.14
Nancy M. Naftel
A. To Admit 10.2
B. To Object 10.3
A. Statement Made Personally by Civil Party (Evid C §1220)
1. Information to Elicit 10.4
2. Questions to Ask 10.5
B. Statement Made Personally by Criminal Defendant (Evid C §1220)
1. Information to Elicit 10.6
2. Questions to Ask 10.7
C. Adoptive Admission (Evid C §1221)
1. Information to Elicit 10.8
2. Questions to Ask 10.9
D. Authorized Admission (Evid C §1222)
1. Information to Elicit 10.10
2. Questions to Ask 10.11
E. Coconspirator Admission (Evid C §1223)
1. Information to Elicit 10.12
2. Questions to Ask 10.13
F. Declarant’s Liability or Breach of Duty at Issue (Evid C §1224)
1. Information to Elicit 10.14
2. Questions to Ask 10.15
G. Statement by Declarant Whose Interest in Real Property Is at Issue (Evid C §1225)
1. Information to Elicit 10.16
2. Questions to Ask 10.17
H. Declarant a Minor Child in Parent’s Action for Child’s Injury (Evid C §1226)
1. Information to Elicit 10.18
2. Questions to Ask 10.19
I. Statement by Declarant in Action for Declarant’s Wrongful Death (Evid C §1227)
1. Information to Elicit 10.20
2. Questions to Ask 10.21
A. Admissibility Determined at Preliminary Fact Hearing 10.22
B. Introducing Admission at Trial 10.23
C. Admission Not Declaration Against Interest 10.24
D. Criminal Cases 10.25
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 10.26
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 10.27
A. Evidence Code 10.28
B. Other 10.29
David E. Malnick
A. To Admit 11.2
B. To Object 11.3
A. Information to Elicit 11.4
B. Questions to Ask
1. Investigator’s Background 11.5
2. Description of Recording 11.6
3. Identification of Recording 11.7
4. Authentication of Edited Video Recording 11.7A
5. Impeaching Witness With Recording—Using Sections of Recording as Direct Evidence of a Fact 11.8
A. Writings Must Be Authenticated 11.9
1. Dispensing With Live Testimony 11.10
2. When to Mark Exhibits for Identification 11.11
B. Demonstrative and Documentary Evidence 11.12
1. Demonstrative Evidence That Judges Are Inclined to Admit 11.13
2. Demonstrative Evidence That May Receive Closer Scrutiny 11.14
C. Authentication Subject to Evid C §403 11.15
D. Relevance Standard for Nonwritings 11.16
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 11.17
B. Checklist: Examples of Authentication and Presumptions Affecting Authentication 11.18
A. Evidence Code 11.19
B. Other 11.20
Books, Maps, Charts, and Treatises: Proving Facts of Notoriety and Interest
A. To Admit 12.2
B. To Object 12.3
A. Information to Elicit 12.4
B. Questions to Ask 12.5
A. Admissible to Prove Generally Known Facts 12.6
B. Judicial Interpretations 12.7
C. Authentication 12.8
D. Preliminary Fact Hearing 12.9
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 12.10
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 12.11
A. Evidence Code 12.12
B. Other 12.13
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 13.1
A. Business Records in General
1. To Admit
a. By Custodian’s Testimony 13.2
b. By Testimony 13.2A
c. By Affidavit or Declaration 13.3
2. To Object 13.4
B. Computer Information
a. Accurate Reflection Requirement 13.5
b. Accurate Reflection Presumption 13.6
2. To Object 13.6A
C. Summaries of Voluminous Documents 13.7
D. Police Reports 13.8
E. Video or Digital Images 13.9
F. To Object [Deleted] 13.10
G. Evidence of No Record
1. To Admit 13.11
2. To Object 13.12
A. Using Witness to Introduce Business Records
1. Information to Elicit 13.13
a. Testimony of Custodian of Records to Introduce Company Report on Mining Claim 13.14
b. Testimony of Fire Department Employee to Introduce Fire Accident Report 13.15
B. Business Records Introduced by Affidavit or Declaration
1. Information to Elicit 13.16
2. Questions to Ask 13.17
C. Introducing Computer Records
1. Information to Elicit 13.18
2. Questions to Ask 13.19
D. Absence of Entry in Records
1. Information to Elicit 13.20
2. Questions to Ask 13.21
A. Records to Which Business-Record Exception Applies 13.22
1. Only Part of Record May Be Admissible 13.23
2. Person Who Prepared Record Not Required to Testify 13.24
3. Mode of Preparation Must Indicate Trustworthiness 13.25
B. Records to Which Business-Record Exception Does Not Apply 13.25A
C. Live Testimony
1. When to Use Witness to Authenticate Records 13.26
2. What to Do When Questioning Custodian of Records 13.27
D. Using Affidavit (or Declaration) Instead of Witness to Authenticate Records 13.28
E. Computer Records 13.29
F. Additional Objections Opponent May Make 13.30
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 13.31
B. Alternative Methods of Admissibility
1. Checklist: Writing Itself Can Be Introduced 13.32
2. Checklist: Writing Can Only Assist Testimony 13.33
3. Checklist: Absence of Record 13.34
A. Evidence Code
1. Record Admitted Through Witness 13.35
2. Authentication With Affidavit 13.36
B. Other 13.37
Character: Opinion Evidence
1. Using Opinion Evidence Against Defendant or Defense Witness or on Prosecution’s Behalf
a. To Admit 14.2
b. To Object 14.3
2. Using Opinion Evidence Against Prosecution Witness or on Defendant’s Behalf
a. To Admit 14.4
b. To Object 14.5
B. Civil Cases
1. To Admit 14.6
2. To Object 14.7
A. Cross-Examination in Criminal Case
1. Information to Elicit 14.8
2. Questions to Ask 14.9
B. Direct Examination in Criminal Case
1. Information to Elicit 14.10
2. Questions to Ask 14.11
C. Direct Examination in Civil Case
1. Information to Elicit 14.12
2. Questions to Ask 14.13
A. When to Use Opinion Character Evidence 14.14
B. Good Faith Questioning Required 14.15
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 14.16
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 14.17
A. Evidence Code 14.18
B. Other 14.19
Character: Reputation Evidence
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 15.1
A. To Admit 15.2
B. To Object 15.3
III. SAMPLE QUESTIONS ON DIRECT EXAMINATION
A. Reputation for Truth and Veracity
1. Information to Elicit 15.4
2. Questions to Ask 15.5
B. Defendant’s Reputation to Prove Conduct in Criminal Case
1. Information to Elicit 15.6
2. Questions to Ask 15.7
C. Victim’s Reputation to Prove Conduct in Criminal Case
1. Information to Elicit 15.8
2. Questions to Ask 15.9
D. Reputation Evidence Used to Prove Character, When Character Itself Is in Issue
1. Information to Elicit 15.10
2. Questions to Ask 15.11
A. Using Character Evidence 15.12
1. Reputation Evidence Concerning Truth and Veracity 15.13
2. Character Evidence in Civil Cases 15.14
3. Character Evidence in Criminal Cases 15.15
4. Credibility Involving Sexual Issues 15.16
B. Effect of Proposition 8 in Criminal Cases 15.17
C. Witness Selection and Preparation 15.18
D. When to Call Character Witnesses 15.19
E. Cross-Examination of Character Witnesses 15.20
F. Jury Instructions 15.21
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 15.22
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 15.23
A. Evidence Code 15.24
B. Other 15.25
Character: Specific Acts Evidence
1. Using Specific Acts Against Defendant or Defense Witness or on Prosecution’s Behalf
a. To Admit 16.2
b. To Object 16.3
2. Using Specific Acts Against Prosecution Witness or on Defendant’s Behalf
a. To Admit 16.4
b. To Object 16.5
1. To Admit 16.6
2. To Object 16.7
A. Evidence of Specific Acts Concerning Witness’s Honesty or Veracity
1. Information to Elicit 16.8
2. Questions to Ask 16.9
B. Testimony About Victim’s Character Trait of Aggressiveness
1. Information to Elicit 16.10
2. Questions to Ask 16.11
C. Proving Bad Character of Mother in Family Law Case in Which Custody Is in Issue
1. Information to Elicit 16.12
2. Questions to Ask 16.13
D. Defendant’s Prior Sexual Conduct With Plaintiff—Offered to Attack Plaintiff’s Credibility in Sexual Harassment Case
1. Information to Elicit 16.14
2. Questions to Ask 16.15
A. When to Use Specific Acts Character Evidence 16.16
1. To Prove Facts Other Than Disposition 16.17
2. To Prove Defendant’s Disposition to Commit Charged Offense 16.18
3. To Attack or Support Credibility 16.19
C. Civil Cases 16.20
D. Sexual Conduct Cases 16.21
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 16.22
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 16.23
A. Evidence Code 16.24
B. Other 16.25
Commercial Lists and the Like
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 17.1
A. To Admit 17.2
B. To Object 17.3
A. Introducing Price Lists of Several Manufacturers in a Particular Industry
1. Information to Elicit 17.4
2. Questions to Ask 17.5
B. Introducing Component Equipment Catalog That Is Standard Throughout an Entire Industry
1. Information to Elicit 17.6
2. Questions to Ask 17.7
A. Preliminary Fact Hearing 17.8
B. Published Compilations for Narrow Markets 17.9
C. Listings That Rank Items 17.10
D. Examples of Acceptable Items 17.11
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 17.12
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 17.13
A. Evidence Code 17.14
B. Other 17.15
Community History, Public Interest in Property, and Boundaries
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 18.1
1. Community Reputation 18.2
2. Statements 18.3
B. To Object 18.4
A. Community Reputation Concerning Public Interest in Property
1. Information to Elicit 18.5
2. Questions to Ask 18.6
B. Community Reputation Concerning Customs Affecting Land
1. Information to Elicit 18.7
2. Questions to Ask 18.8
C. Statements Concerning Boundaries of Land
1. Information to Elicit 18.9
2. Questions to Ask 18.10
A. Community Reputation Concerning Community History 18.11
B. Community Reputation Concerning Public Interest in Property in the Community 18.12
C. Consider In Limine Motion 18.13
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 18.14
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 18.15
A. Evidence Code 18.16
B. Other 18.17
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 19.1
A. To Admit 19.2
B. To Object 19.3
A. Supporting Credibility: Witness’s Ability to Perceive and Lack of Bias
1. Information to Elicit 19.4
2. Questions to Ask 19.5
B. Attacking Credibility: Nonexistence of Fact Testified to by Witness
1. Information to Elicit 19.6
2. Questions to Ask 19.7
C. Attacking Credibility: Witness’s Character for Honesty, Veracity, or Their Opposites
1. Information to Elicit 19.8
2. Questions to Ask 19.9
D. Attacking Credibility: Prior Inconsistent Statement
1. Information to Elicit 19.10
2. Questions to Ask 19.11
E. Attacking Credibility: Witness’s Bias, Interest, or Other Motive in Testifying
1. Information to Elicit 19.12
2. Questions to Ask 19.13
F. Attacking Credibility: Witness’s Opportunity to Perceive Matter on Which Testifying
1. Information to Elicit 19.14
2. Questions to Ask 19.15
G. Attacking Credibility: Using Prior Inconsistent Statement to Attack Credibility of Your Own Witness
1. Information to Elicit 19.16
2. Questions to Ask 19.17
A. General Scope of Credibility Evidence (Evid C §780) 19.18
1. Credibility Almost Always a Question of Fact for Jury 19.19
2. Character Evidence Is Not Limited to Honesty, Truthfulness, or Their Opposites 19.20
3. “Opening the Door” to Impeaching Evidence 19.21
B. Rehabilitation 19.22
C. Impeachment on Collateral Matters 19.23
D. Jury Instructions to Consider During Questioning 19.24
1. Civil Jury Instructions 19.25
2. Criminal Jury Instructions 19.26
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 19.27
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 19.28
A. Evidence Code 19.29
B. Other 19.30
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 20.1
A. To Admit 20.2
B. To Object 20.3
A. Testimony Reporting Declarant’s Statement Against Interest
1. Information to Elicit 20.4
a. Adverse Pecuniary or Proprietary Interest 20.5
b. Risk of Civil or Criminal Liability 20.6
c. Declarant’s Claim Would Be Invalidated 20.7
d. Risk of Hatred, Ridicule, or Social Disgrace 20.8
B. Testimony Showing Declarant Unavailable as Witness
1. Information to Elicit 20.9
a. Testimony Privileged 20.10
b. Declarant Disqualified Because of Incapacity 20.11
c. Declarant Disqualified Because of Inability to Tell Truth 20.12
d. Declarant Dead 20.13
e. Declarant Ill 20.14
f. Declarant Cannot Be Located 20.15
g. Declarant in Another State (Civil Case) 20.16
A. Burden on Opponent to Object 20.17
B. Declarant’s Statement
1. Must Be Trustworthy 20.18
2. Must Expose Declarant to Civil or Criminal Liability 20.19
3. Confrontation Clause Issues [Deleted] 20.19A
4. Must Be Against Declarant’s Interests When Made 20.20
5. May Be Against Declarant’s Social Interest 20.20A
C. Criminal Cases
1. Defendant’s Right of Confrontation
a. Testimonial Hearsay
(1) Exclusion of Testimonial Hearsay Under Crawford 20.20B
(2) Exceptions to Excludability of Testimonial Hearsay 20.20C
(3) Limitations on Cross-Examination 20.20D
b. Nontestimonial Hearsay 20.20E
2. Expert Testimony May Be Required [Deleted] 20.21
3. Establishing Declarant’s Unavailability in Criminal Cases 20.22
D. Procedure to Determine Declarant’s Competence [Deleted] 20.23
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 20.24
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 20.25
A. Evidence Code 20.26
B. Other 20.27
Dispositive Instruments and Ancient Writings
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 21.1
A. Dispositive Instruments
1. To Admit 21.2
2. To Object 21.3
B. Ancient Writings
1. To Admit 21.4
2. To Object 21.5
1. Information to Elicit 21.6
2. Questions to Ask 21.7
1. Information to Elicit 21.8
2. Questions to Ask 21.9
A. Dispositive Instruments 21.10
B. Ancient Writings 21.11
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 21.12
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 21.13
1. Dispositive Instruments 21.14
2. Ancient Writings 21.15
3. Official Records and Documents That Affect Property 21.16
B. Other 21.17
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 22.1
A. To Admit 22.2
B. To Object 22.3
A. Information to Elicit 22.4
1. Introduction of Death Certificate 22.5
2. Examination of Medical Witness 22.6
3. Examination of Witness Who Heard Declarant 22.7
A. Immediate Death Not Necessary for Admissibility 22.8
B. Objection Required 22.9
C. Foundation Issues 22.10
D. Matters After Preliminary Fact Hearing
1. Opponent May Still Discredit Dying Declaration 22.11
2. Proponent Should Provide Supporting Evidence 22.12
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 22.13
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 22.14
A. Evidence Code 22.15
B. Other 22.16
Experiments and Scientific Tests
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 23.1
1. To Admit 23.2
2. To Object 23.3
B. Scientific Tests
1. To Admit 23.4
2. To Object 23.5
C. View by Trier of Fact
1. To Admit 23.6
2. To Object 23.7
D. Exhibition of Person
1. To Admit 23.8
2. To Object 23.9
A. Information to Elicit 23.10
B. Questions to Ask 23.11
A. Experiments 23.12
B. Scientific Techniques
1. “General Acceptance” Test 23.13
2. Kelly Rule Applies to New Scientific Techniques 23.14
3. Criminal Cases: Effect of Cal Const Art I, §28(f)(2) on Use of Kelly Rule 23.15
4. Examples: Scientific Tests That Have Been Specifically Approved 23.16
5. Examples: Scientific Tests That Have Been Specifically Disapproved 23.17
6. Use of In Limine Motions 23.18
7. View by Trier of Fact 23.19
8. Exhibition of Person 23.20
V. CHECKLIST: WITNESSES TO SUBPOENA 23.21
A. Evidence Code 23.22
B. Code of Civil Procedure 23.23
C. Family Code 23.24
D. Penal Code 23.25
E. Other 23.26
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 24.1
A. To Admit 24.2
B. To Object 24.3
A. Direct Examination of Forensic Economist
1. Information to Elicit 24.4
a. Qualifying the Expert 24.5
b. Education 24.6
c. Work Experience 24.7
d. Publications 24.8
e. Qualification of Expert in Other Cases 24.9
f. Basis for Expert’s Opinion 24.10
g. Summary of Expert’s Opinion 24.11
B. Introducing Diagram
1. Information to Elicit 24.12
2. Questions to Ask 24.13
C. Using Opposition Witness as Your Expert
1. Information to Elicit 24.14
2. Questions to Ask 24.15
A. Proponent’s Pretrial Considerations
1. Disclosure Requirements in Civil Cases 24.16
2. Controlling Expert’s Time and Tasks 24.17
3. If Treating Physician Will Testify 24.18
4. If Designated Expert Becomes Unavailable 24.19
5. Local Rule Requirements 24.20
B. Proponent’s Trial Considerations
1. Expert’s Purpose at Trial 24.21
2. Be Creative in Presenting Your Experts 24.22
3. Points to Cover During Examination 24.23
4. Kelly Rule 24.24
5. Basis for Opinion 24.25
6. Admitting Evidence Relied on by Expert 24.26
7. Using Hypothetical Questions 24.27
8. Submitting Jury Instructions 24.28
C. Opponent’s Considerations
1. Requesting Preliminary Fact Hearing 24.29
2. Bases for Challenge 24.30
3. Cross-Examination of Expert (Evid C §721) 24.31
4. Prosecutorial Misconduct Involving Excluded Testimony 24.32
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 24.33
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 24.34
A. Evidence Code 24.35
B. Other 24.36
Family History: Statements, Reputation, and Records
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 25.1
1. Out-of-Court Statements 25.2
2. Reputation 25.3
3. Records 25.4
B. To Object 25.5
1. Declarant’s Place of Birth
a. Information to Elicit 25.6
b. Questions to Ask 25.7
2. Another’s Place of Birth
a. Information to Elicit 25.8
b. Questions to Ask 25.9
1. Information to Elicit 25.10
2. Questions to Ask 25.11
1. Church Record
a. Information to Elicit 25.12
b. Questions to Ask 25.13
a. Information to Elicit 25.14
b. Questions to Ask 25.15
A. Authenticating Records 25.16
B. Admissible Secondary Evidence 25.17
C. Preliminary Fact Hearing Usually Desirable 25.18
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 25.19
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 25.20
A. Evidence Code 25.21
B. Other 25.22
Felony Conviction: To Impeach in Civil Trials
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 26.1
A. To Admit 26.2
B. To Object 26.3
A. Surprise Impeachment
1. Information to Elicit 26.4
2. Questions to Ask 26.5
B. Impeachment Using Judgment of Conviction
1. Information to Elicit 26.6
2. Questions to Ask 26.7
A. Find Out About Prior Convictions Before Trial 26.8
B. When Your Witness Has Prior Felony Conviction 26.9
C. When Opponent’s Witness Has Prior Felony Conviction
1. Consider Making In Limine Motion 26.10
2. Be Cautious About Surprising Your Opponent 26.11
3. Good Faith Basis Necessary Before Inquiring About Prior Felony Conviction 26.12
4. Procedures for Proving Prior Conviction 26.13
D. Application of Criminal Law Rules on Use of Felony Convictions to Impeach in Civil Trials 26.14
E. Introducing Prior Felony Conviction at Deposition 26.15
F. Prior Felony Conviction Used to Prove Fact Necessary to Judgment 26.16
A. Evidence Code 26.17
B. Other 26.18
Prior Convictions: To Impeach in Criminal Trials
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 27.1
A. To Admit 27.2
B. To Object 27.3
A. Questions to Use to Impeach Witness Who Is Testifying
1. Information to Elicit 27.4
2. Questions to Ask 27.5
B. Introducing Record of Judgment of Conviction
1. Information to Elicit 27.6
2. Questions to Ask 27.7
A. Preliminary Fact Hearing Usually Held 27.8
B. Effect of Proposition 8 27.9
1. Prior Felony Convictions May Be Used to Impeach Any Witness 27.10
2. Trial Court Discretion to Exclude Prior Convictions
a. Moral Turpitude Required 27.11
b. Evid C §352 Considerations 27.12
c. Defendant Must Testify to Raise Error on Appeal 27.13
3. Rules on Misdemeanor Prior Convictions 27.14
4. Juvenile Adjudications 27.15
5. Challenging Prior Convictions on Constitutional Grounds 27.16
C. Procedures for Impeaching Witness 27.17
1. Good Faith Questions About Prior Conviction Required 27.18
2. Proving Witness’s Identity as Convicted Person 27.19
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 27.20
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 27.21
A. Evidence Code 27.22
B. California Constitution 27.23
C. Other 27.24
1. Any Person’s Former Testimony 28.2
2. Adverse Party’s Deposition Testimony 28.3
B. To Object 28.4
A. Party Same in Former Action
1. Information to Elicit 28.5
2. Questions to Ask 28.6
B. Party Different in Former Action
1. Information to Elicit 28.7
2. Questions to Ask 28.8
C. Deposition Used to Impeach Party
1. Information to Elicit 28.9
2. Questions to Ask 28.10
A. Admissible Former Testimony 28.11
1. Obtain Ruling on Objections to Former Testimony 28.12
2. Meet Burden of Presenting Evidence 28.13
3. Present Evidence on Unavailability of Witness 28.14
4. Satisfy Authentication Rules 28.15
5. Lodge Transcript With Court 28.16
B. Same Standard for Recorded Testimony 28.17
C. Former Testimony Need Not Be in Writing 28.18
D. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel at Previous Hearing 28.19
E. Using Former Testimony to Impeach 28.20
F. Opponent May Attack Former Testimony Even If Admitted 28.21
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 28.22
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 28.23
A. Evidence Code 28.24
B. Other 28.25
Habit or Custom Evidence
A. To Admit 29.2
B. To Object 29.3
A. Information to Elicit 29.4
B. Questions to Ask 29.5
A. Character Versus Custom 29.6
B. Habit Evidence in Criminal Cases 29.7
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 29.8
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 29.9
A. Evidence Code 29.10
B. Other 29.11
Judgments Offered in Civil Cases
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 30.1
A. Criminal Conviction Punishable as Felony
1. To Admit 30.2
2. To Object 30.3
B. Judgment Offered in Indemnity or Warranty Action
1. To Admit 30.4
2. To Object 30.5
C. Judgment of Third Person’s Liability, Obligation, or Duty
1. To Admit 30.6
2. To Object 30.7
A. Offered to Prove Fact Essential to Judgment
1. Steps to Take 30.8
2. Questions to Ask 30.9
B. Offered to Prove Liability
1. Steps to Take 30.10
2. Questions to Ask 30.11
A. Prior Conviction Must Be Punishable as Felony Under Hearsay Exception 30.12
B. Judgment Must Be Final 30.13
C. Preliminary Fact Hearing 30.14
D. Exception Not Applicable If Matter Is Res Judicata or Collaterally Estopped 30.15
E. Exception Not Applicable in Criminal Cases 30.16
A. Checklist: Procedures for Admitting Judgments 30.17
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 30.18
A. Evidence Code 30.19
B. Other 30.20
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 31.1
A. Mandatory Judicial Notice (Evid C §§451–452)
1. To Admit 31.2
2. To Object 31.3
B. Permissive Judicial Notice (Evid C §452)
1. To Admit 31.4
2. To Object 31.5
III. SAMPLE REQUESTS
A. Steps to Take 31.6
B. Matters to Be Judicially Noticed
1. California Statute (Evid C §451(a)) 31.7
2. Dictionary Definition (Evid C §451(e)) 31.8
3. Another State’s Statute (Evid C §452(a)) 31.9
4. Official Court Record (Evid C §452(d)) 31.10
A. Benefits of Judicial Notice 31.11
B. Mandatory Judicial Notice (Evid C §451) 31.12
C. Permissive Judicial Notice (Evid C §452) 31.13
D. Computer-Generated Official Court Records of Criminal Convictions (Evid C §452.5(a)) 31.14
E. Procedures for Requesting Judicial Notice
1. Raise Matter In Limine 31.15
2. Comply With Local Court Rules 31.16
3. Provide “Sufficient Information” to Support Request 31.17
4. When Requesting Judicial Notice of Court Records 31.18
5. Request Applicable Jury Instruction 31.19
6. Consider Court Order Prohibiting Opposing Parties From Presenting Evidence on Judicially Noticed Matter 31.20
F. Court’s Ruling
1. Court May Rely on Any “Pertinent Information” 31.21
2. Matters of “Substantial Consequence” 31.22
3. Court’s Refusal to Take Judicial Notice 31.23
A. Checklist: Procedures for Providing Court With Sufficient Information 31.24
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 31.25
A. Evidence Code 31.26
B. Other 31.27
Lay Witnesses: Competence and Qualification
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 32.1
1. Lay Witnesses 32.2
2. Judges 32.3
3. Jurors 32.4
4. Lawyers 32.5
B. To Object 32.6
A. Lay Witnesses Must Understand Duty to Tell the Truth
1. Information to Elicit 32.7
2. Questions to Ask 32.8
B. Lay Witness Must Have Personal Knowledge
1. Information to Elicit 32.9
2. Questions to Ask 32.10
A. Different Standards for Ruling on Competence and on Personal Knowledge 32.11
1. Competence Determined Under Evid C §405 32.12
2. Personal Knowledge Decided Under Evid C §403 32.13
3. Hearing in or out of Jury’s Presence 32.14
4. Evidence to Support Competence and Personal Knowledge 32.15
B. Lawyer’s Testimony: Cal Rules of Prof Cond 5–210 Applies Only to Jury Trials 32.16
C. Children’s Testimony: Criminal Jury Trials 32.17
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 32.18
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 32.19
A. Evidence Code 32.20
B. California Rules of Professional Conduct 32.21
C. Other 32.22
Lay Witnesses: Opinion Testimony
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 33.1
A. Lay Testimony Generally
1. To Admit 33.2
2. To Object 33.3
B. Lay Testimony on Sanity
1. To Admit 33.4
2. To Object 33.5
A. Lay Witness’s Opinion on Speed and Distance
1. Information to Elicit 33.6
2. Questions to Ask 33.7
B. Lay Witness’s Opinion on Description and Identity in Criminal Case
1. Information to Elicit 33.8
2. Questions to Ask 33.9
C. Intimate Acquaintance’s Opinion on Sanity
1. Information to Elicit 33.10
2. Questions to Ask 33.11
D. Subscribing Witness’s Opinion on Sanity
1. Information to Elicit 33.12
2. Questions to Ask 33.13
A. Determining Whether Lay Opinion Is Permitted 33.14
B. Lay Witness Must Have Personal Knowledge of Facts 33.15
C. Jury Instructions 33.16
D. Examples: Topics on Which Lay Witnesses Have Been Allowed to Give Opinion 33.17
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 33.18
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 33.19
A. Evidence Code 33.20
B. Other 33.21
Lay Witnesses: Rehabilitation
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 34.1
A. To Admit 34.2
B. To Object 34.3
A. Information to Elicit 34.4
B. Questions to Ask 34.5
A. Prevention Is Better Than Cure 34.6
B. Criminal Cases: Using Expert to Rehabilitate Witness 34.7
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 34.8
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 34.9
VI. SOURCES 34.10
Nonhearsay
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 35.1
II. MISCELLANEOUS NONHEARSAY 35.1A
III. REQUIREMENTS FOR INTRODUCTION OF OUT-OF-COURT STATEMENT FOR NONHEARSAY PURPOSE
A. To Admit 35.2
B. To Object 35.3
IV. SAMPLE QUESTIONS
A. Information to Elicit 35.4
B. Questions to Ask 35.5
A. Show That Statement Is Nonhearsay and Relevant 35.6
B. Opponent May Request Limiting Instruction 35.7
VI. CHECKLISTS
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 35.8
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 35.9
A. Evidence Code 35.10
B. Other 35.11
Official Records and Writings
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 36.1
A. Record Made by Public Employee
1. To Admit 36.2
2. To Object 36.3
B. Record of Vital Statistics (Birth, Death, Marriage)
1. To Admit 36.4
2. To Object 36.5
C. Statement of Opinion in Official Record
1. To Admit 36.6
2. To Object 36.7
D. Absence of Public Record
1. To Admit 36.8
2. To Object 36.9
1. Steps to Take 36.10
2. Questions to Ask 36.11
B. Statement of Opinion in Official Record
1. Information to Elicit 36.12
2. Questions to Ask 36.13
C. Record of Vital Statistics
1. Steps to Take 36.14
2. Questions to Ask 36.15
1. Step to Take 36.16
2. Questions to Ask 36.17
A. Record Made by Public Employee 36.18
B. Statement of Opinion in Official Record 36.19
C. Record of Vital Statistics 36.20
D. Absence of Official Record 36.21
E. Computer Records 36.21A
F. Authentication 36.22
G. Admissible Secondary Evidence 36.23
A. Checklist: Admissibility of Public Records 36.24
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 36.25
A. Evidence Code 36.26
B. Health and Safety Code 36.27
C. Other 36.28
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 37.1
A. To Admit 37.2
B. To Object 37.3
A. Written Modification of Contract Made in Concurrent Agreement
1. Information to Elicit 37.4
2. Questions to Ask 37.5
B. Prior Written Modification of Contract
1. Information to Elicit 37.6
2. Questions to Ask 37.7
C. Oral Modification of Contract
1. Information to Elicit 37.8
2. Questions to Ask 37.9
A. Parol Evidence and Statute of Frauds 37.10
B. Statutes That Supersede CCP §1856 37.11
C. Procedure for Deciding Parol Evidence Issue 37.12
D. Possible Actions by Opponent to Combat Parol Evidence 37.13
V. CHECKLIST: WITNESSES TO SUBPOENA 37.14
A. Code of Civil Procedure 37.15
B. Civil Code 37.16
C. Other 37.17
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 38.1
A. To Admit 38.2
B. To Object 38.3
A. Information to Elicit 38.4
B. Questions to Ask 38.5
1. Witness Recorded Own Statement 38.6
2. Another Person Recorded Statement Under Witness’s Supervision 38.7
3. Another Person Recorded Statement at Witness’s Request 38.8
4. Another Person Recorded Statement in Course of Duty 38.9
A. Witness Preparation 38.10
B. Total Lack of Memory Not Required 38.11
C. Opponent’s Excising of Objectionable Material 38.12
D. Accident Reports 38.13
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 38.14
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 38.15
A. Evidence Code 38.16
B. Other 38.17
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 39.1
1. Writing 39.2
2. Nonwriting 39.3
B. To Object 39.4
A. Steps to Take 39.5
B. Questions to Ask 39.6
A. Substantive and Demonstrative Evidence Distinguished 39.7
1. Examples 39.8
2. Demonstrative Evidence Is Persuasive 39.9
3. In Limine Ruling Is Advisable 39.10
C. Satisfy Pretrial Discovery Requirements 39.11
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 39.12
B. Checklist: Procedures for Introducing Physical Evidence at In Limine Motion 39.13
C. Checklist: Procedures for Introducing Physical Evidence During Trial 39.14
VI. SOURCES 39.15
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 40.1
1. Rehabilitation of Testifying Witness 40.2
2. Rehabilitation of Hearsay Declarant 40.3
B. To Object 40.4
A. Prior Consistent Statement Introduced on Direct Examination of Witness to Prior Statement
1. Information to Elicit 40.5
2. Questions to Ask 40.6
B. Prior Consistent Statement Introduced on Redirect Examination of Witness After Impeachment
1. Information to Elicit 40.7
2. Questions to Ask 40.8
A. Prior Statements of Testifying Witnesses 40.9
B. Prior Statements of Hearsay Declarants 40.10
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 40.11
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 40.12
A. Evidence Code 40.13
B. Other 40.14
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 41.1
1. Impeachment of Testifying Witness 41.2
2. Impeachment of Hearsay Declarant 41.3
B. To Object 41.4
A. Impeachment of Testifying Witness
1. Steps to Take 41.5
2. Questions to Ask 41.6
B. Impeachment Through Another Witness’s Testimony
1. Steps to Take 41.7
2. Questions to Ask 41.8
C. Impeachment of Hearsay Declarant
1. Steps to Take 41.9
2. Questions to Ask 41.10
A. Prior Inconsistent Statements of Testifying Witnesses (Evid C §1235) 41.11
1. Authentication Necessary if Statement in Writing 41.12
2. Procedures for Impeaching Witnesses With Prior Inconsistent Statements 41.13
3. Meeting Opponent’s Objections 41.14
4. Statements Made During Judicial Arbitration Not Admissible at Trial 41.15
B. Prior Inconsistent Statements of Hearsay Declarants (Evid C §1202) 41.16
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 41.17
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 41.18
A. Evidence Code 41.19
B. Other 41.20
Prior Identifications
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 42.1
A. To Admit 42.2
B. To Object 42.3
A. Civil Case: Identity of Driver in Automobile Accident
1. Witness Testifies to Own Prior Identification
a. Information to Elicit 42.4
b. Questions to Ask 42.5
2. Officer Testifies to Another’s Prior Identification
a. Information to Elicit 42.6
b. Questions to Ask 42.7
B. Criminal Case: Identity of Robbery Suspect
1. Witness Testifies to Prior Identification at Crime Scene
a. Information to Elicit 42.8
b. Questions to Ask 42.9
2. Witness Testifies to Prior Identification Made From Photographic Lineup
a. Information to Elicit 42.10
b. Questions to Ask 42.11
3. Witness Testifies to Prior Identification Made at Live Lineup
a. Information to Elicit 42.12
b. Questions to Ask 42.13
4. Witness Testifies to Assisting in Creation of Drawing of Suspect
a. Information to Elicit 42.14
b. Questions to Ask 42.15
5. Police Officer Testifies to Having Heard Witness Describe Defendant
a. Information to Elicit 42.16
b. Questions to Ask 42.17
6. Police Officer Testifies to Having Shown Photographs to Witness
a. Information to Elicit 42.18
b. Questions to Ask 42.19
A. In Limine Hearings on Pretrial Identification Procedures 42.20
B. Other Procedural Vehicles for Challenging Prior Identifications 42.21
C. Effect of Eyewitness Testimony at Trial 42.22
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 42.23
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 42.24
A. Evidence Code 42.25
B. Other 42.26
Privileges and Confidential Communications
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 43.1
II. COMBATING ASSERTION OF PRIVILEGE
A. Privilege Must Have Been Claimed Before Trial If Privileged Information Was Requested
1. Civil Cases 43.2
2. Criminal Cases 43.3
B. Procedures at Trial to Determine if Privilege Applies 43.4
C. Defeating a Privilege
1. Communication Not Privileged 43.5
2. Exception to Privilege Prevents Its Assertion 43.5A
3. There Is No Privilege Holder 43.6
4. Privilege Was Waived 43.7
D. Effect of Opposing Counsel’s Waiver of Privilege at Trial 43.8
E. No Waiver by Interception of Privileged Electronic Communications Such as Internet Communication 43.9
III. CHECKLIST: WITNESSES TO SUBPOENA 43.10
A. Evidence Code 43.11
B. Code of Civil Procedure 43.12
C. Penal Code 43.13
D. Other 43.14
V. TABLE: VARIOUS STATUTORY PRIVILEGES 43.15
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 44.1
A. To Admit 44.2
B. To Object 44.3
A. Refreshing Recollection When Writing Produced in Court
1. Steps to Take 44.4
2. Questions to Ask 44.5
B. Refreshing Recollection When Writing Not Produced
1. Steps to Take 44.6
2. Questions to Ask 44.7
A. Prepare Witnesses About Material to Be Reviewed Before Testifying 44.8
1. What May Be Used to Refresh Recollection 44.9
2. Effect of Failure to Produce Writing Used to Refresh Testimony 44.10
B. When Writing Used to Refresh Recollection May Be Introduced Into Evidence 44.11
C. Using Document to Refresh Recollection as Foundation for Impeachment 44.12
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 44.13
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 44.14
A. Evidence Code 44.15
B. Other 44.16
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 45.1
A. To Admit 45.2
B. To Object 45.3
A. Cross-Examination of Defendant Doctor in Medical Malpractice Case
1. Steps to Take 45.4
2. Questions to Ask 45.5
B. Direct Examination of Expert in Product Liability Action
1. Steps to Take 45.6
2. Questions to Ask 45.7
C. Direct Examination of Expert in Pedestrian-Vehicle Accident
1. Steps to Take 45.8
2. Questions to Ask 45.9
A. Test for Determining Relevance 45.10
B. Evidence Irrelevant If Issue Not in Dispute 45.11
C. When Relevant Evidence May Be Excluded (Evid C §352) 45.12
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 45.13
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 45.14
A. Evidence Code 45.15
B. Other 45.16
Remainder Offered to Explain Part Admitted
A. To Admit 46.2
B. To Object 46.3
A. Direct Examination of Plaintiff in Wrongful Employment Termination Case
1. Steps to Take 46.4
2. Questions to Ask 46.5
B. Cross-Examination of Plaintiff in Wrongful Employment Termination Case
1. Information to Elicit 46.6
2. Questions to Ask 46.7
A. Application of Rule of Completeness 46.8
B. Rule May Apply to Otherwise Inadmissible Evidence 46.9
C. Strategic Considerations 46.10
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 46.11
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 46.12
A. Evidence Code 46.13
B. Other 46.14
Secondary Evidence Rule: Copies and Other Evidence to Prove Content of Writing
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 47.1
A. To Admit 47.2
B. To Object 47.3
A. Proponent Introduces Photocopy (Evid C §§1521, 1550)
1. Information to Elicit 47.4
2. Questions to Ask 47.5
B. Proponent Introduces Computer Records (Evid C §§1521, 1552)
1. Information to Elicit 47.6
2. Questions to Ask 47.7
A. Proving Content of Writing 47.8
B. Relevant Definitions 47.9
C. Criminal Proceedings 47.10
D. Printed Representations
1. Photographic Reproductions 47.10A
2. Computer Information and Computer Programs 47.11
3. Images Stored on Video or Digital Media 47.12
E. Copies of Official Writings
1. Governmental Entity Has Custody of Original 47.13
2. Governmental Entity Has Custody of Copy 47.14
F. Federal Law on Proving Content of Writings (Fed R Evid 1001–1008) 47.15
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 47.16
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 47.17
A. Evidence Code 47.18
B. Penal Code 47.19
C. Other 47.20
Secondary Evidence Rule: Oral Testimony to Prove Content of Writing
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 48.1
1. Writing Lost or Destroyed (Evid C §1523(b)) 48.2
2. Writing Not Reasonably Procurable (Evid C §1523(c)) 48.3
3. Writing Summarizing Voluminous Records (Evid C §1523(d)) 48.4
B. To Object 48.5
A. Information to Elicit 48.6
B. Questions to Ask 48.7
A. Witness’s Personal Knowledge of Original 48.8
B. Relevance; Evid C §405 48.9
C. Proof of Loss or Destruction 48.10
D. Federal Law on Oral Testimony 48.11
V. CHECKLIST: WITNESSES TO SUBPOENA 48.12
A. Evidence Code 48.13
B. Other 48.14
Spontaneous and Contemporaneous Statements; Statements by Abuse Victims
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 49.1
1. Spontaneous Statements 49.2
2. Contemporaneous Statements 49.3
3. Statements by Victims of Abuse or Violence
a. Child Dependency Exception to Hearsay Rule 49.3A
b. Other Hearsay Exceptions for Statements Made by Victims of Abuse or Violence 49.3B
B. To Object 49.4
A. Spontaneous Statement
1. Information to Elicit 49.5
2. Questions to Ask 49.6
B. Contemporaneous Statement
1. Information to Elicit 49.7
2. Questions to Ask 49.8
A. Objections to Spontaneous Statements 49.9
1. Lapse of Time May Make Statement Inadmissible 49.10
2. Statements Made in Response to Questions 49.11
B. Affidavits Setting Forth Contemporaneous Statements [Deleted] 49.12
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 49.13
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 49.14
A. Evidence Code 49.15
B. Other 49.16
Statements of State of Mind, Emotion, or Physical Sensation
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 50.1
1. Present State of Mind, Emotion, or Physical Sensation 50.2
2. Prior State of Mind, Emotion, or Physical Sensation 50.3
3. Statements by Minors for Purposes of Medical Treatment Involving Child Abuse 50.3A
B. To Object 50.4
A. Present State of Mind, Emotion, or Physical Sensation
1. Criminal Case: Victim’s State of Mind
a. Information to Elicit 50.5
b. Questions to Ask 50.6
2. Criminal Case: Defendant’s State of Mind
a. Information to Elicit 50.7
b. Questions to Ask 50.8
B. Previous State of Mind, Emotion, or Physical Sensation
1. Information to Elicit 50.9
2. Questions to Ask 50.10
C. Abused Child’s Statements Made for Purpose of Medical Treatment
1. Information to Elicit 50.10A
2. Sample Questions 50.10B
A. Difference Between Statements Admitted as Nonhearsay and Under Evid C §§1250–1252 50.11
B. Strategic Considerations 50.12
C. Difference Between Evid C §§1250 and 1251 50.13
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 50.14
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 50.15
A. Evidence Code 50.16
B. Other 50.17
Stipulations; Undisputed Facts
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 51.1
II. REQUIREMENTS 51.2
A. Stipulation
1. Steps to Take 51.3
2. Questions to Ask 51.4
1. Steps to Take 51.5
2. Questions to Ask 51.6
A. Circumstances Giving Rise to Stipulations 51.7
B. Effect of Stipulations 51.8
C. Strategic Considerations 51.9
D. Ask Judge to Inform Jury of Significance of Stipulation 51.10
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 51.11
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 51.12
A. Code of Civil Procedure; Evidence Code 51.13
B. Other 51.14
Subsequent Repairs or Other Remedial Conduct
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 52.1
A. To Admit 52.2
B. To Object 52.3
A. Impeaching Witness
1. Steps to Take 52.4
2. Questions to Ask 52.5
B. Establishing Control of Premises
1. Steps to Take 52.6
2. Questions to Ask 52.7
C. Strict Liability Case
1. Steps to Take 52.8
2. Questions to Ask 52.9
IV. COMMENT 52.10
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 52.11
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 52.12
A. Evidence Code 52.13
B. Other 52.14
Wills and Claims Against Estates: Admissible Relevant Statements
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 53.1
A. Statement by Unavailable Declarant
1. To Admit 53.2
2. To Object 53.3
B. Statement by Decedent
1. To Admit 53.4
2. To Object 53.5
1. Information to Elicit (Evid C §1260) 53.6
2. Questions to Ask 53.7
1. Information to Elicit (Evid C §1261) 53.8
2. Questions to Ask 53.9
A. Differences Between Evid C §§1260 and 1261 53.10
B. Lost or Destroyed Wills 53.11
C. In Limine Hearings 53.12
A. Checklist: Witnesses to Subpoena 53.13
B. Checklist: Alternative Methods of Admissibility 53.14
A. Evidence Code 53.15
B. Other 53.16
Electronic and Social Media Evidence
I. SCOPE OF CHAPTER 54.1
II. DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES GOVERNING ADMISSION OF ESI
A. ESI Defined 54.2
1. Definition of “Writing” Includes ESI 54.3
2. Definition of “Original” as Applied to ESI 54.4
B. Social Media Defined 54.5
C. General Principles Governing Admission of ESI
1. ESI Must Meet Relevancy Standards Like Other Evidence 54.6
a. Only Relevant Evidence Admissible 54.7
b. Court May Exclude Relevant Evidence 54.8
2. ESI Must Be Authenticated 54.9
a. Proponent Must Show Writing Is Authentic 54.10
b. Authenticity Is Determined Twice 54.11
c. Ways to Authenticate ESI 54.12
a. Connect ESI to User 54.13
b. Authenticate Computer Hardware and Software 54.14
c. Federal Foundation Test for ESI 54.15
2. To Object 54.16
B. Social Media Evidence
1. To Admit: Authenticate the Social Media Post 54.17
a. Authenticate Identity of Social Media Post’s Author 54.18
b. Authenticate a Printout or Download of the Social Media Post 54.19
2. To Object: Raise Issue of Alteration or Falsification 54.20
IV. TESTIMONY ON ESI AND SOCIAL MEDIA EVIDENCE, INFORMATION TO ELICIT, AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS
A. Using Witness to Introduce ESI 54.21
1. Information to Elicit 54.22
2. Questions to Ask 54.23
B. Using Witness to Introduce Social Media Evidence 54.24
1. Information to Elicit 54.25
2. Questions to Ask 54.26
A. Authenticating Internet Website Posts or Webpage Printouts 54.27
1. Heightened Court Scrutiny 54.28
2. Witness Testimony 54.29
3. Printout Alone Insufficient 54.30
B. Authenticating Text, Instant, Chat, and Direct Messages 54.31
C. Introducing Nonverbal Online Communication 54.32
A. Evidence Code 54.33
B. Federal Rules of Evidence 54.34
Summarized below are some of the more important developments included in this update since publication of the November 2017 Update.
Hospital records may be admissible as business records if a custodian of records or an affidavit provides proper authentication to meet the foundational requirements of the hearsay exception for business records; however, in People v McVey (2018) 24 CA5th 405, 414, the hospital records were not authenticated in any way. See §11.18.
To determine whether the probative value of the prior conviction outweighs the prejudice, the “prominent factors” are whether the prior conviction “(1) reflects on honesty and (2) is near in time.” People v Brooks (2017) 3 C5th 1, 52. See People v Mireles (2018) 21 CA5th 237, 247 (applying Brooks, defendant’s convictions for similar crimes occurring 3 and 5 years before trial are “neither remote in time nor unduly prejudicial,” but witness’ 20-year-old conviction was properly excluded), discussed in §26.3.
In People v Garton (2018) 4 C5th 485, 501, the court of appeal stated that a witness’ demeanor can include “everything from facial expressions and hand gestures to tone and attire,” possibly even including the wearing of a wedding ring in some cases. See §19.2.
The court in People v Gallardo (2017) 18 CA5th 51, 70, quoting People v Duarte (2000) 24 C4th 603, 611, held that jailhouse statements to informants identifying codefendants as the shooter and the driver of car from which shots were fired were too “‘self-serving and unreliable’” to qualify as declarations against penal interest. See §20.18.
Viewed in context, the jailhouse statements by the codefendant were disserving to the codefendant’s penal interest and thus admissible under the exception to the hearsay rule. See People v Almeda (2018) 19 CA5th 346, 362, in §20.19.
In People v Perez (2017) 18 CA5th 598, 619, the witness identified an exhibit depicting screen shots of text messages on his phone. The court held that there was no abuse of discretion in admitting the text messages for the jury to ultimately decide on their authenticity. See §§54.11, 54.19.
The court in Apple, Inc. v Superior Court (2018) 19 CA5th 1101, 1118, held that the gatekeeping analysis in Sargon Enters., Inc. v University of S. Cal. (2012) 55 C4th 747 must be applied to expert testimony offered at class certification. See §24.25.
The scope of permissible cross-examination of an expert witness is broad, but it does not extend to the admission of case-specific testimonial hearsay in violation of a defendant’s right of confrontation. See People v Malik (2017) 16 CA5th 587, 597, in §24.31.
In People v Jo (2017) 15 CA5th 1128, 1176, the court held that the expert testimony did not usurp the jury’s fact-finding role because the expert provided an overview of the statute but did not express her opinion as to whether it applied to the facts of the case. See §24.3.
The court in People v Veamatahau (May 31, 2018, A150689) 2018 Cal App Lexis 513, *7, found that the expert’s testimony that he relied on a database to compare the appearance and thus identify the pills that were taken from defendant was admissible. The court expressly disagreed with the contrary ruling in People v Stamps (2016) 3 CA5th 988. See §24.25.
In People v Pettie (2017) 16 CA5th 23, 63, the court of appeal held that the admission of testimonial hearsay statements by the prosecution’s gang expert violated the defendants’ right to confrontation. By contrast, the court in People v Mooring (2018) 15 CA5th 928, 942, found no confrontation clause violation because the challenged hearsay, a pharmaceutical identification website, is not testimonial. See §20.20B.
In People v Martinez (2018) 19 CA5th 853, 859, the trial court erred in admitting a gang expert’s case-specific hearsay testimony; the error was prejudicial. See §24.25.
Summons letters prepared by a Russian court were properly admitted under the public records exception to the hearsay rule. See AO Alfa-Bank v Yakovlev (2018) 21 CA5th 189, 205, in §36.2.
In Candelore v Tinder, Inc. (2018) 19 CA5th 1138, 1156 n9, the court denied the request for judicial notice because group data sought to be judicially noticed is insufficient to justify alleged discrimination at issue. See §31.3.
California Supreme Court found that it was prohibited from taking judicial notice of an unpublished decision in Hernandez v Restoration Hardware, Inc. (2018) 4 C5th 260, 269 n2. See §31.2.
The court in Medical Bd. v Superior Court (2018) 19 CA5th 1, 8 n6 took judicial notice of the legislative history and supporting documentation concerning the enactment of Bus & P C §492. See §31.13.
An out-of-court statement is offered for nonhearsay purpose when it is used to corroborate other evidence. See People v Henriquez (2017) 4 C5th 1, 30 (out-of-court statement that defendant was “into heavy stuff” was not offered to prove truth of statement but to corroborate other evidence that provided motive for murder), in §35.2.
In People v Rodriguez (2017) 16 CA5th 355, 375, the court found that the computer-generated report of the GPS data generated by defendant’s ankle monitor did not consist of statements of a person, and thus did not constitute hearsay. Similarly, photographs and X rays do not constitute hearsay because hearsay may only include nonverbal conduct of a person. People v Garton (2018) 4 C5th 485, 506. See §35.1A.
In IIG Wireless, Inc. v Yi (2018) 22 CA5th 630, 643, the court held that parol evidence was admissible to prove the parties’ different understandings of the agreement based on fraudulent misrepresentations. See §37.2. By contrast, the court in Doyle v Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co. (2018) 21 CA5th 33, 40 did not consider the insured’s expectations at the time of contracting based on extrinsic parol evidence because the contract terms were unambiguous. See §37.3.
Evidence Code §956 is amended to provide that the crime-fraud exception to the attorney-client privilege does not apply to legal services rendered in compliance with state and local laws on medicinal cannabis or adult-use cannabis, and confidential communications provided for the purpose of rendering those services are confidential communications between client and lawyer as long as the lawyer also advises the client on conflicts with respect to federal law. See §43.11.
In Wilson v Southern Cal. Edison Co. (2018) 21 CA5th 786, 806, the court found that the evidence of stray voltage incidents at other houses and at plaintiff’s house before she bought it was not relevant to plaintiff’s nuisance claim, which must be based on interference with plaintiff’s use and enjoyment of her property. See §45.3.
Evidence Code §§351.3 and 351.4 were added in May 2018 to prohibit, in criminal actions and civil actions for personal injury or wrongful death, evidence of a person’s immigration status. For other civil actions, immigration status must not be disclosed in open court unless the evidence has first been deemed admissible after an in camera hearing. See §45.3.
WILLIAM H. ARMSTRONG, B.A., 1964, Stanford University; LL.B., 1967, Stanford Law School. Mr. Armstrong is a partner of DeHay & Elliston, LLP in Walnut Creek. He has tried about 80 cases, including 8 in federal court and six in states outside California, with an average duration of 4 weeks. He was the mayor of Walnut Creek from 1980 to 1981, a member of the Walnut Creek City Council from 1977 to 1982, and the president of the Regional Arts Fundraising Campaign in Walnut Creek from 1983 to 1993. He has been a member of the Stanford Law School Advisory Committee on Environmental and Toxic Tort Law since 1992. Mr. Armstrong has served as the update author during the entire life of this book.
RICHARD P. CAPUTO, B.S., 1953, Santa Clara University; LL.B., 1956, Santa Clara Law School. Mr. Caputo is a partner of Caputo & Caputo in San Jose. He specializes in personal injury, products liability, and professional negligence cases. Mr. Caputo is a litigation specialist certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. He was the president of the Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers’ Association in 1982 and was on the California Trial Lawyers’ Association Board of Governors from 1983 to 1993. The Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers’ Association recognized him with the “Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award” in 1993.
ROBERT A. FRANKLIN, B.S., 1976, Santa Clara University; J.D., 1979, Southwestern Law School. Mr. Franklin practices with Murray & Murray in Palo Alto. He specializes in civil litigation with an emphasis in commercial and secured transactions and insolvency. Mr. Franklin served as the chair of the Executive Committee of the Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section of the Santa Clara County Bar Association in 1998.
HOLLY J. FUJIE, A.B., 1975, and J.D., 1978, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. Ms. Fujie is a judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Before becoming a bench officer, Judge Fujie was a litigation shareholder of Buchalter Nemer, PC in Los Angeles. She specialized in complex civil litigation, and served as the chair of the firm’s insurance group. She is a past president of the California State Bar and also served as a member of the Bar’s Board of Governors. She is also a member of numerous other boards of professional associations, and speaks frequently on diversity, litigation, and work balance issues. Ms. Fujie is an author of chapter 4 on compelling attendance and production of evidence in California Trial Practice: Civil Procedure During Trial (3d ed Cal CEB).
DONALD D. HOWARD, B.A., 1965, University of Kansas; LL.B., 1968, Stanford Law School. Mr. Howard practiced law in San Jose from 1973 to 1998 and now practices in Monterey, specializing in business litigation and products liability. He served as a trial and defense counsel and military judge with the United States Navy from 1969 to 1973.
JAN NIELSEN LITTLE, A.B., 1978, University of California, Berkeley; J.D., 1981, Yale Law School. Ms. Little is a partner of Keker & Van Nest, LLP in San Francisco. She specializes in complex business litigation and white collar criminal defense. She is a current member of the U.S. Attorney’s Defense Liaison Group and the U.S. District Court’s Criminal Justice Working Group. For over a decade, she has lectured extensively for both state and national continuing legal education providers, with an emphasis on litigation and white collar crime issues. She has been listed in “Best Lawyers in America” since 2005 and has been honored with numerous other awards. In 1995, she received the first “Significant Contributions to Justice Award” from the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice. She clerked for Judge William W. Schwarzer in the Northern District of California from 1981 to 1982. Ms. Little served as a trial attorney with the United States Department of Justice from 1982 to 1986, where she received a Special Commendation Award in 1984.
DAVID E. MALNICK, B.A., 1967, American University; J.D., 1971, McGeorge Law School. The late Mr. Malnick practiced law in San Jose, specializing in professional liability, products liability, and personal injury cases. He was president of the Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers’ Association in 1987 and held certificates of recognition as an experienced trial lawyer in the fields of products liability and professional liability from the California Trial Lawyers’ Association. He had lectured on trial advocacy at Stanford University Law School and the University of Santa Clara Law School, and had served as a faculty member of the federal practice program, U.S. District Court, Northern District. Mr. Malnick had also lectured at Kazakhstan National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
E. STEWART MORITZ, B.A., 1990, Yale University; J.D., 1995, Vanderbilt University School of Law. Mr. Moritz formerly practiced law with Keker & Van Nest in San Francisco, specializing in civil litigation. He clerked for the Hon. Gilbert S. Merritt, chief judge of the Sixth Circuit United States Court of Appeals, from 1995 to 1996.
NANCY M. NAFTEL, A.B., 1964, University of California, Berkeley; J.D., 1980, Western State University College of Law. Ms. Naftel was a deputy district attorney with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office from 1983 until her retirement in November 1999. She worked in the Labor Relations Division in the Office of the County Counsel in Los Angeles from 1981 to 1983.
Laying a Foundation to Introduce Evidence (Preparing & Using Evidence at Trial)
Explains how to identify and prepare evidentiary foundations in compliance with rules of evidence. Primarily for the attorney seeking to introduce evidence at trial but also includes grounds on which opposing counsel may object to admission of evidence. Includes judicial perspective.
OnLAW’s digital libraries deliver substantive analysis of the law, step-by-step procedural assistance, and best-practice strategies in seven practice areas. CEB’s rigorous standards and old-school multi-pass editorial process ensure accuracy, clarity, completeness, timeliness, and coverage of the issues. Full of commentary, practice advice, and sample documents, the Litigation Library can help you from initial filings and discovery, through pretrial motions, all the way to trial and post-trial review.