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PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE. Learning Domain 17. PURPOSE FOR THE RULES OF EVIDENCE. Protect the jury from seeing or hearing evidence that is: (w/b p. 1-3) Excluded by judge if consumes too much time Relevant – ______________ all relevant evidence is admissible
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PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE Learning Domain 17
PURPOSE FOR THE RULES OF EVIDENCE • Protect the jury from seeing or hearing evidence that is: (w/b p. 1-3) • Excluded by judge if consumes too much time • Relevant – ______________ all relevant evidence is admissible • _______________ - ability to prove a point
PURPOSE OF OFFERING EVIDENCE • As an item of proof • To _________ a witness, victim or defendant (means to attack their credibility) • Rehabilitate a witness • To determine sentence
Types of Evidence • Testimonial Evidence • Real Evidence • Demonstrative Evidence • Circumstantial Evidence • Direct Evidence
Chain of Custody • Authentication of evidence from the time it is recovered until its presentation in court • Every person handling the evidence is a link in the chain of custody. Each link in the chain must be documented.
MAJOR TYPES OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE • Fruits of a crime • Instrumentalities of a crime • Contraband • Mere evidence
DIRECT EVIDENCE vs CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE • Direct Evidence – proves a fact without inference. • __________ – a conclusion drawn from a fact or set of facts. • Circumstantial Evidence – requires inference (based on common sense).
Evidence Code 352 • If conflicting the court may exclude evidence if probative value is substantially outweighed : (w/b p. 1-14) • Judge weighs ______ basic considerations: • Does the evidence tend to unduly influence the jury by arousing hostility or sympathy? • Will the evidence and/or the evidence required to counter it, consume an undue amount of time?
Evidence Code 352 • Will the evidence create side issues that distract the jury from the main point of the case? • Will the evidence ________________ the opponent who, acting in good faith, may be unprepared to deal with it?
Exclusionary Rule • Exclusion of evidence obtained by government agents in violation of the U.S. Constitution: • Weeks v U.S. • Mapp v Ohio (1-15) • Application also to: • Juvenile proceedings • Narcotics commitments • _____________________ • Sentencing hearings
Opinion & Expert Testimony • Opinion Rule can be excluded if deemed unreliable: • Hearsay • Opinion evidence (lay person) • Exceptions for non-expert (lay person) witness: (w/b p. 1-16) • Speed • ___________ • Size • ____________ • Questions of sanity • Expert witness exception-voir dire examination
PRIVILEGE • Definition - witness will not be required to state communication between them and another person based on privileges under the Evidence Code : (w/b p. 1-18) • self-incrimination (Fifth Amend) • attorney-client • psychotherapist-patient • _____________ • clergy-penitent • doctor-patient relationship
CREDIBILITY WITNESSES • If a witness is competent, their credibility may be drawn into question based on: (w/b p.1-19) • Manner in which they testify • Character of the testimony • Evidence affecting the witness’ character for truth, honesty or integrity • Demeanor of the witness • Witness’ motive or contradictory evidence
CREDIBILITY OF CHILDREN • Considered competent if the child: (w/b p.1-19) • Possesses the capacity to observe, recollect, and communicate events • Has the ability to understand questions and to formulate intelligent answers and • Understands the duty to _______________
Officer Credibility • Officer’s Credibility: (w/b p. 1-20) • All evidence must be legally obtained • All evidence handled per chain of custody • All supporting evidence gathered, stored and documented properly
EXCLUSION TO AVOID UNDUE PREJUDICE • Some otherwise relevant evidence is excluded from trial because of its potential to unduly prejudice the jury, i.e. • ________________________ • Certain photographs
HEARSAY RULE • Generally not accepted Evid Code 1200 (third party statements, person other than witness) • EXCEPTIONS TO HEARSAY RULES Spontaneous Statements(w/b p. 1-22) • Made about some excited or unnerving event, made at or near the time of the event, while the person is still under the excitement of the event
ADMISSIONS & CONFESSIONS • ADMISSIONS (w/b 1-23) • CONFESSIONS • Express Admission • Implied Admission
EXCEPTIONS to HEARSAY DYING DECLARATIONS( w/b p. 1-25) Statements made by a dying person About the circumstances surrounding the person’s impending death Person must have a sense of impending death _________________ 19
Records & Officer Testimony • Records and Officer Testimony: (w/b p.1-27) • Official Records – written statements or records made by a public official (coroner’s report, marriage certificate) • _________________ – written statements or records made by a business person who has a duty to know the facts as they relate to the business (personnel records, bank records).
Records & Officer Testimony • Past recollection recorded- writings read into evidence when witness can’t recall • _____________________- refers to use of personal notes, etc. as an aid to refresh the witness memory • Officers Testimony at Preliminary hearings-Prop 115, Evid Code 872(b) (w/b p1-32)