BALW20150 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Closing Argument, New Trial, Expert Witness
25 Jan 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Both attorneys are allowed to make opening statements setting forth the facts that they expect to prove during the trial. These allow attorneys to give brief version of facts/supporting evidence then plaintiff"s case is presented. Determines whether evidence will be admitted in court. Federal rules of evidence govern admissibility of evidence in federal courts. Relevant evidence: evidence that tends to prove/disprove a fact in question or to establish the degree of probability of a fact or action. Hearsay: testimony someone gives in court about a statement made by someone else who was not under oath at the time of the statement. Admitting hearsay into evidence carries risk now way to test reliability. Direct examination: calling first witness for plaintiff to stand and examining/questioning witness. Cross examination: the defendant"s attorney can ask the plaintiff"s first witness questions. Plaintiffs attorney can redirect examination to the same witness and a recross- examination may occur by defendant"s attorney next witness.
