This class will focus on the principles and rules that regulate the process of proving facts at trial, including both the Federal Rules of Evidence and their common law counterparts. Topics covered include relevancy and its limits, various policy- and efficiency-based limitations on the receipt of evidence, the rule against hearsay and the more important hearsay exceptions, rules governing the impeachment of witnesses, and expert testimony.

1.)   Evidence Law and Practice by Friedland, Bergman and Taslitz (4th Edition) REQUIRED

2.)   Federal Rules of Evidence, West, 2011-2012 edition, RECOMMENDED

The course will be problem-oriented; class preparation will consist primarily of weekly problem sets and some reading. Class participation and consistent attendance are required.

Midterm project

Multiple choice, short answer

Grades for the course are based upon a final exam, midterm project, quizzes through the semester, and class participation.