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MBE Evidence II
Evidence - Relevancy
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Character Evidence in Criminal Cases - Character of Defendant | Defendant may open the door with reputation or opinion evidence (not specific acts) of his good character to prove his innocence and the prosecution may so rebut. |
| Character Evidence in Criminal Cases - Character of the Victim | Where evidence is a pertinent trait of character of the alleged victim is offered by the accused, the prosecution may rebut the same way |
| Character Evidence in Civil Cases | -Defamation -Negligent Hiring -Negligent Entrustment -Child Custody |
| Character Approach | -Criminal 1)Door open? 2)Trait? 3)Reputation/opinion -Civil 1)Character in issue? 2)Big 4? 3)R, O, SA |
| 4 Ways to Impeach | 1)Bias/prejudice 2)Prior inconsistent Statement 3)Sensory Defects 4)Character to Impeach |
| Bias/Prejudice (always relevant) | -Bias of a witness is always considered relevant -A witness can be impeached by showing that he has a reason for lying about or misrepresenting facts, becuase he is: --Biased in favor --prejudiced against a party, or --has an interest in the outcome |
| Prior Inconsistent Statement | Admissible substantively in 3 cases: 1)If "sworn" under FRE 801(d)(1) 2)As an admission under FRE 801(d)(2) or, 3)If a Hearsay Exception Applies |
| Sensory Defects | Any sensory or mental defect that might affect a witness's capacity to observe, recall, or relate the events about which the witness has testified is admissible to impeach. |
| Prior Bad Act Impeachment | -Reputation or opinion testimony about the witeness involving truthfulness -Questions regarding specific instances of conduct allowed on cross-examination |
| Convictions | -Felony conviction -Convictions involving dishonesty or false statement |
| FRE 404(b): "Mimic Rule" | -Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes. |