Evidence
Evidence rules constrain proof at criminal and civil trials. This course focuses on the Federal Rules of Evidence, related case law, and those constitutional concepts that limit proof at criminal trials. Topics include relevance, character evidence, hearsay, expert testimony, scientific proof, and privileges. Please note that the California Bar Examiners have announced that "[t]he scope of the subject titled 'evidence' will include the California Code of Evidence." It appears that "include" means that the examination will address both the Federal Rules of Evidence (traditionally covered by the California bar exam) and the California Evidence Code. This evidence course covers only the Federal Rules of Evidence and does not address the California Code. Although the same principles of law govern the California and Federal rules, the two sets of rules are not identical, and students preparing for the California Bar Exam will have to learn some new material.