NCJ Number
101711
Date Published
1985
Length
242 pages
Annotation
Intended primarily for undergraduate criminal justice, business law, and paralegal students, this handbook discusses the application of evidence rules, particularly the Federal Rules of Evidence, in the trial setting.
Abstract
After reviewing the history, purpose, and rationale of the modern trial process, the handbook considers the definition of evidence, the development of evidence rules, and basic concepts of evidence. Subsequent chapters discuss the application of specific evidence rules in the trial setting. The rules discussed pertain to relevancy, witness competency, the direct examination and cross-examination of witnesses, opinion testimony from an expert witness, and the hearsay rule as well as its exceptions. Other issues considered are the application of the best-evidence rule to the authentication and identification of writings, the presentation of exhibits and objections, and privileges and judicial notice. The appendix contains a partial list of the Federal Rules of Evidence. Review and discussion questions accompany each chapter. Chapter footnotes and subject index.