A writer who attended the entire O.J. Simpson trial examines why the prosecution lost the case.

This casebook provides a comprehensive, problem-based approach to studying the rules of evidence. Organized around the federal rules, this casebook provides coverage of every single rule; yet, through careful case choice and editing, Professor Nicolas has produced a book that can easily be taught from cover-to-cover in as few as three semester hours. Key features of the casebook include approximately 115 in-depth problems that are designed to teach all the nuances of the rules, as well as coverage of selected state rules of evidence that differ significantly from the federal rules designed to facilitate class discussion about the policies underlying the rules of evidence. In addition, the casebook contains an enriched section on scientific evidence, in-depth coverage of the rules to electronic evidence, and a chapter on appellate review of evidentiary rulings. The third edition of the casebook builds on the strengths of the second edition while at the same time updating it to reflect recent developments. The text of the third edition has been revised to reflect the language of the Restyled Federal Rules of Evidence, which take effect in December 2011. The third edition will contain edited versions of the Supreme Court's most recent Confrontation Clause decisions, including Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts, Michigan v. Bryant, and Bullcoming v. New Mexico. The third edition will also include recent decisions applying the rules of evidence to electronic evidence, including cases involving information found on social networking websites. In addition, the third edition contains expanded coverage of state rules of evidence that differ significantly from the federal rules. Finally, in an effort to keep the book manageable in length, Professor Nicolas has--as a general rule--tried to remove a page of material for every new page added. An annual supplement is produced each year that includes the latest developments in evidence law so as to keep the textbook up-to-date between editions. A separate statutory supplement includes the federal rules of evidence and selected legislative history. In addition, the Teacher's Manual includes detailed answers to all of the problems contained in the casebook.

John Banville’s stunning powers of mimicry are brilliantly on display in this engrossing novel, the darkly compelling confession of an improbable murderer. Freddie Montgomery is a highly cultured man, a husband and father living the life of a dissolute exile on a Mediterranean island. When a debt comes due and his wife and child are held as collateral, he returns to Ireland to secure funds. That pursuit leads to murder. And here is his attempt to present evidence, not of his innocence, but of his life, of the events that lead to the murder he committed because he could. Like a hero out of Nabokov or Camus, Montgomery is a chillingly articulate, self-aware, and amoral being, whose humanity is painfully on display.

The rules of evidence can be effectively and directly understood through applied learning methods such as problem-solving. More than just a supplemental source of problems, this book can be used in conjunction with the federal or state rules of evidence and their associated legislative history as an all-purpose guide to the rules of evidence. Each section of Evidence Problems and Materials commences with a brief explanation of a particular area of evidence law, followed by problems to test understanding of the evidentiary rules and their intended meaning. Methods of presentation of the problems include: Courtroom transcript form; Lawyering skills settings such as qualifying an expert, distinguishing and comparing statutes; and Examination of identifying characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity that may significantly affect evidentiary rulings. The role-playing problems allow students to consider different perspectives and focus on how to persuade others to adopt those perspectives, thereby facilitating an understanding of the evidence rules and their constitutive framework, and offering a broader perspective of how the rules relate to lawyering, legal theory, and human nature.

A flexible and engaging casebook, Evidence: Cases, Commentary, and Problems focuses on core concepts and central controversies in evidence law, presented through tightly edited cases, stimulating commentary from a wide range of perspectives, and carefully crafted problems. The Fifth Edition, while as streamlined and teachable as its predecessors, includes excerpts from more than fifty new cases and twenty new articles, fresh problems and enhanced editorial material, and three entirely new sections: one on machine-generated proof, one on digital forensics, and one on authenticating electronic evidence. There is new, up-to-date material on sexual assault cases, DNA evidence, social science evidence, privileges, judicial notice, hearsay, confrontation, “other crimes” evidence, and other key topics. New to the Fifth Edition: New sections on machine-generated proof, digital forensics, and authenticating electronic evidence New materials on confrontation and hearsay, character evidence in sexual assault and child molestation cases, DNA evidence, social science evidence, “other crimes” evidence, and other key topics Excerpts from more than 50 new cases and 20 new articles New problems and editorial material throughout Professors and students will benefit from: Flexible structure that allows the book to be taught cover-to-cover in a four-unit, one-semester class, but also can be abridged or rearranged to suit course length and instructor’s preferences. Comprehensive coverage with a wide range of perspectives. Text that is written with clarity and concision and includes well-selected and tightly edited cases. A balanced mix of cases, commentary, and problems covering relevance, hearsay, character evidence, impeachment, privilege, expert testimony, and authentication. Well-written introductory materials that identify key issues, important distinctions, and common sources of confusion.

While the law of evidence has dominated jurisprudential treatment of the subject, evidence is in truth a multi-disciplinary subject. This book is a collection of materials concerned not only with the law of evidence, but also with the logical and rhetorical aspects of proof; the epistemology of evidence as a basis for the proof of disputed facts; and scientific aspects of the subject. The editor raises issues such as the philosophical basis for the use of evidence; whether courtroom proof is essentially mathematical or non-mathematical; and the use of different theories of probability in legal reasoning.