Opinion ID: 653713
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Foreign Law

Text: 39 Childs contends that the government relied on foreign law at trial without giving reasonable written notice in violation of Rule 26.1 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Ms. Vernon testified as the custodian of records about the procedural process by which exhibits 2 through 8 were filed in Canada. These exhibits were admitted as business records of the Alberta DMV. Childs points out that Ms. Vernon's testimony involved explanations of Canadian law and procedures. 40 Rule 26.1 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure provides: Determination of Foreign Law 41 A party who intends to raise an issue concerning the law of a foreign country shall give reasonable written notice. The court, in determining foreign law, may consider any relevant material or source, including testimony, whether or not submitted by a party or admissible under the Federal Rules of Evidence. The court's determination shall be treated as a ruling on a question of law. 42 Childs argues that the district court had to determine foreign law in deciding whether Ms. Vernon was the custodian of the Canadian government documents. However, the district court determined that Ms. Vernon was the custodian of the documents based on her testimony at trial. Since there was no need for the district court to make any determination of foreign law, the requirements of Fed.R.Crim.P. 26.1 are inapplicable to this case.