This new book by an experienced law professor and practicing attorney is an opportunity to understand the pivotal role of non-lawyers - paralegals, investigators, law enforcement personnel - in the trial process. It provides a comprehensive and practical explanation of the rules of evidence as they relate to the trial process. The application of the rules of evidence in the trial process is explained clearly. The book offers a practical understanding of the rules of evidence that forms a solid foundation for better and clearer comprehension of the theory behind the rules.

At the core of being a trial lawyer is a working knowledge of the rules of evidence: how to get evidence admitted or kept out in a contested trial or hearing. Procedures to authenticate exhibits are the building blocks of any case, and objections and their responses are the mortar. The Family Law Trial Evidence Handbook is a common sense guide to these fundamentals. Based upon the author's years of family law practice and from his teaching experience at the ABA Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute, this handbook is organized in a practical format that can work for all family law trial lawyers, regardless of whether they practice in a state that uses a variation on the Federal Rules or a common law body of rules on evidence. It combines the substantive knowledge critical to assist family lawyers understand the concepts and theories of evidence with a supremely useful format that ensures that the necessary information can be located and absorbed quickly. Topics include: The fundamentals of evidence Relevance Evidence of character and habit Hearsay and hearsay exceptions Judicial notice and presumptions Authentication of writings and other tangible evidence Original writing rule and the rule of completeness Competency of witnesses Evidentiary privileges Expert witnesses Examination of witnesses Tendering exhibits, objections, and offers of proof Procedures for streamlining admission of evidence Requests to admit facts and genuineness of documents Judges identify lawyers who can try cases well and appreciate their skill, and good settlements come from superior trial skills. It is axiomatic, but knowledge is power. This book is the starting point for lawyers pursuing excellence in divorce trial advocacy.

This is the eBook of the printed book and may not include any media, website access codes, or print supplements that may come packaged with the bound book. This book provides college students in Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, and other law or forensic-related fields with a detailed understanding of evidence law. A detailed, hands-on introduction to evidence law Criminal Evidence uses clear writing and real-world examples to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the laws that determine what make evidence admissible in court, and the factors that make it credible to a jury. Concise but thorough explanations of the legal system, trial processes, and principles of constitutional and criminal law are carefully tailored to provide background on the role of evidence law. Coverage then continues to the rules of evidence and statutory and case law which form the law of evidence in a logical progression, from the attributes which make evidence admissible, to those which make relevant evidence inadmissible. Throughout, practice tips, sample trial transcripts, court opinions, and critical-thinking questions help students develop and retain their understanding. The appendix includes an annotated transcript of testimony taken at an actual criminal trial to give students a look at how evidence law is applied in practice. With its hands-on approach to evidence law, Criminal Evidence clearly explains the law of evidence and the context of that law in a manner that is accessible to students studying criminal justice as well as those studying law.

Providing over 130 challenging multiple-choice questions, together with note-form answers, this book is the ideal revision aid for students on the Bar Vocational Course. Test Yourself allows students to quickly and easily reinforce their knowledge of key principles, procedures and leading cases in the areas of evidence, civil procedure, criminal procedure and sentencing. Offering students the opportunity to practice undertaking multiple-choice questions, which may be similar to those met in assessments, Test Yourself can be used as a tool by students to not only test their knowledge and comprehension of key legal principles, but can also be used to identify any weaknesses in knowledge, indicating areas where further study is required. Answers to all questions are provided at the end of the tests, along with accompanying feedback sections which fully explain the answer to each question, and which also provide useful tips on how to approach such questions in an exam, providing an excellent starting point for further revision.