Course Section | Columbia Law School

Section Description Provided by Instructor

This course examines the limitations American law places on the use of evidence to prove facts in court in civil and criminal actions (with modestly greater emphasis on criminal cases). The focus is on the interpretation and application of the Federal Rules of Evidence in the context of problems that are the main focus of classroom discussion. Considerable time is spent on "relevance" and "prejudice;" rules limiting the use of evidence of an individual's character; lay and expert witnesses; and the hearsay rule and its exceptions and the right to Confrontation; impeachment; and privileges. The professor is the Reporter to the Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules, and so there is an emphasis on rulemaking, amendments to the Evidence Rules, and the Restyled Rules of Evidence which become effective December 1, 2011. The Restyled Rules will be posted on the courseweb.
In-class, open book exam, combining a lengthy, fast-paced multiple-choice exam and a few short essay questions. The grade is also based on participation in class.