Book Description

This work is written for lawyers and district judges who try cases in Texas courts. It is a trial book, designed to ease the task of dealing with evidence issues under the time constraints and pressures that trials, especially jury trials, place on all participants. The authors emphasize the proper techniques for presenting and objecting to evidence at trial. Common evidence issues are arranged by the order of the Texas Rules of Evidence. Lawyers in both civil and criminal trials should be able to turn quickly to the correct section of this book dealing with any evidence issue that arises during trial. They will find guidance as to who bears the burden of proof on the issue, what the judge’s role is, and what type of finding for the record they might request. Judges will find similar guidance and will also find proposed findings that can help them make a solid record, and limiting instructions that can enable them quickly and accurately to instruct a jury in most cases This book focuses on the mechanics of how lawyers and judges must deal with evidence issues as they arise at trial and is a highly practical work that is intended to be on counsel tables and judges’ benches during trials. • Governing Rules The discussion of each evidence issue begins with a section on “Governing Rules.” This section gathers the rules that interrelate in one place and highlights the portions of the rules that are most likely to be important. • Key Points The second section is entitled “Key Points.” This section identifies important aspects of the governing rules, offers strategic suggestions on how lawyers may best use the governing rules, and suggests points judges may want to emphasize. • Sample Objections The third section includes sample objections and guidance on making objections at trial. • Rulings on the Record, Offers of Proof, and Limiting Instructions The fourth section suggests language that judges may use in making rulings and instructing juries and also recommends that lawyers consider requesting certain rulings on the record. It also suggests how offers of proof might be made and limiting instructions for all of the issues discussed. • Rules of Evidence The Appendices include the full text of the Texas Rules of Evidence and several important provisions from the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure that are cited in the text.