Opinion ID: 4469365
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Admissibility of x-rays

Text: [D]ifferent standards of review must be applied to trial court decisions regarding the admissibility of evidence, depending on the requirements of the particular rule of evidence at issue. When application of a particular evidentiary rule can yield only one correct result, the proper standard for appellate review is the right/wrong standard. However, the traditional abuse of discretion standard is applied in the case of those rules of evidence that require a “judgment call” on the part of the trial court. Kealoha v. Cty. of Hawaiʻi, 74 Haw. 308, 319-20, 844 P.2d 670, 676 (1993). In general, “[w]hether or not an x-ray photograph has been sufficiently verified so as to warrant its admission in evidence is a matter within the sound discretion of the trial judge and will be reviewed for an abuse of discretion.” State v. Torres, 60 Haw. 271, 276, 589 P.2d 83, 86 (1978).