This course covers the limitations on the information that can be introduced in court codified in the Federal Rules of Evidence. We will take up the issue of relevance, including the rules concerning the balance between the probative value and the prejudicial impact of evidence and the special problems of character and credibility. We will also address the rules pertaining to the reliability of evidence, including the prohibition against hearsay and its many exceptions, the constitutional constraints on the testimony offered during criminal trials, scientific and expert testimony, and authentication. The course touches on evidentiary privileges as well. Professor Griffin will focus on the text, legislative history, and common law roots and development of the rules. "Readings" in her course include cases, problems, some theoretical materials, and film. Professor Beskind will primarily assign readings in a treatise rather than individual cases. In his class, students will work from two case files, one criminal and one civil, taking the role of advocates and arguing the evidentiary principles being studied as they arise in the cases.

Sections/Instructors

Donald H. Beskind
Evidence 245.02
Spring 2013
Sakai Site

Lisa Kern Griffin
Evidence 245.01
Fall 2012
Sakai Site

Michael E. Tigar
Evidence 245.03
Spring 2012
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Kenneth S. Broun
Evidence 245.02
Fall 2011
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Donald H. Beskind
Evidence 245.01
Fall 2011
E-mail List • Sakai Site

Donald H. Beskind
Evidence 245.02
Spring 2011
E-mail List • Blackboard Site
This class will meet 3 times per week: a combination of M, T, W, Th.

Lisa Kern Griffin
Evidence 245.01
Fall 2010
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Donald H. Beskind
Evidence 245.02
Spring 2010
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Lisa Kern Griffin
Evidence 245.01
Fall 2009
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Donald H. Beskind
Evidence 245.02
Spring 2009
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Lisa Kern Griffin
Evidence 245.01
Fall 2008
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Robert P. Mosteller
Evidence 245.02
Spring 2008
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Robert P. Mosteller
Evidence 245.01
Fall 2007
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Robert P. Mosteller
Evidence 245.02
Spring 2007
E-mail List • Blackboard Site

Robert P. Mosteller
Evidence 245.01
Fall 2006

Robert P. Mosteller
Evidence 245.02
Spring 2006

Robert P. Mosteller
Evidence 245.01
Fall 2005
Download: Course Information

Robert P. Mosteller
Evidence 245.02
Spring 2005

Robert P. Mosteller
Evidence 245.01
Fall 2004

Robert P. Mosteller
Evidence 245.01
Spring 2004

Robert P. Mosteller
Evidence 245.01
Fall 2003
This is Jason's section.

Evidence 245.01
Fall 2003

Robert P. Mosteller
Evidence 245.01
Spring 2003

Donald H. Beskind
Evidence 245.01
Fall 2002

Andrew E. Taslitz
Evidence 245.01
Spring 2001