NCJ Number
125440
Date Published
1989
Length
726 pages
Annotation
This text explains the law of evidence as it applies in Federal criminal cases as derived from the U.S. Constitution, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, Acts of Congress, and a body of common law developed by the Federal courts.
Abstract
Standard rules of evidence bearing on the admissibility of evidence in Federal criminal cases, with emphasis on the Federal Rules of Evidence, are discussed in a series of chapters. Topics are admission and exclusion of evidence, competency of witnesses, examination of witnesses, credibility and impeachment of witnesses, opinions and expert testimony, relevancy, scientific evidence, demonstrative evidence, authentication, best-evidence rule, hearsay, and privileges. Four chapters focus on the limitations the U.S. Constitution imposes on evidence collection and admissibility. Topics discussed are searches and seizures, the obtaining of testimonial and nontestimonial evidence, and constitutional limitations at trial. Evidentiary doctrines involving issues other than the admissibility of evidence -- i.e., judicial notice, burdens of proof, presumptions, and the weight and sufficiency of evidence -- are addressed in the final three chapters. Chapter footnotes, table of authorities, subject index.