Opinion ID: 685911
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Public Service Commission Report

Text: 7 Rule 803(8) of the Federal Rules of Evidence states that [r]ecords, reports, statements, or data compilations, in any form, of public offices or agencies, setting forth ... factual findings resulting from an investigation made pursuant to authority granted by law, unless the sources of information or other circumstances indicate lack of trustworthiness are admissible, even if hearsay. 8 This is not to say that a report containing the findings of a public agency, made pursuant to an investigation authorized by law, is always admissible. To the contrary, if sufficient negative factors are present to indicate the report is not trustworthy, it should not be admitted. The factors that may be used to determine admissibility include: (1) the timeliness of the investigation; (2) the special skill or experience of the official; and (3) possible motivation problems. But the burden is on the party opposing admission to demonstrate that the report is not reliable. 9 Ellis v. International Playtex, Inc., 745 F.2d 292, 301 (4th Cir.1984) (citations admitted) (quoting Fed.R.Evid. 803(8)(C) advisory committee's note). 10 Garrett argued that because the author of the report, Miller, was not an expert on steering mechanisms, and because the representatives of Exxon and Peterbilt who were present at the examination of the gear box were biased against him, sufficient negative factors existed to make the report of the Public Service Commission inadmissible. Although Miller was not an expert on steering mechanisms, this does not make the report untrustworthy. Also, Garrett failed to show how or why the Exxon and Peterbilt representatives would be motivated to say that the TAS65 was functioning properly, when it could be to their interests to find fault with this equipment. We cannot say that the trial judge abused his discretion in admitting the report into evidence.