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California's Secondary Evidence Rule: Helpful, Yes. But Not an End Run.

Evidence at Trial

California's secondary evidence rule (Cal. Code §§ 1521 - 1523) provides a commonsense approach that begins with a simple general rule: "The content of a writing may be proved by otherwise admissible secondary evidence." What if the documents are lost or missing? Code § 1521(a). Code § 1271.

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Man Takes a Spoonful of Medicine: Hearsay??

Evidence at Trial

Both the Federal Rules and California's Evidence Code define hearsay as a "statement" that is "offered to prove the truth of the matter" either "stated" (California) or "asserted" (Federal). And on most occasions, hearsay involves a "statement" as that term is generally understood. But could it be hearsay?

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Judicial Notice: Four Must-Know Rules

Evidence at Trial

One its expert witnesses walked the jury through powerful demonstrative evidence detailing DNA contamination in its crime lab. Must-Know Rule #2: A Substitute for Evidence Cannot Bypass Relevance Like any rule of evidence, the details mustn't swallow the whole. Harrison , 651 F.2d 2d 353, 355 (5th Cir.

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Livin' On The Edge: Steven Tyler and Party Admissions

Evidence at Trial

But does Noise provide the plaintiff with actual usable evidence? Tyler's Autobiography: An Evidentiary Analysis When it comes to analyzing the admissibility of evidence, having a methodical approach is imperative. The figure below illustrates the approach: That Tyler's book excerpts are relevant is almost self-evident.