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Evidence: The California Code and the Federal Rules, A Problem Approach

8th Edition
Miguel A. Méndez | Christine Chambers Goodman | Mario Mainero
ISBN: 9798887863290
Subject: Evidence
Format: Print - Hardbound
Page Count: 1165
Copyright: 2025 | Status: Accepting Pre-Orders
Other Formats Available

The Eighth Edition provides a clear, concise, and systematic description and comparison of the Evidence Code’s and Federal Rules’ approaches to evidence admissibility. Examples of examinations, both direct and cross, help students visualize the process of presenting, objecting to, and anticipating rulings on evidence. Combining the problem and witness examination approaches, it includes descriptions of significant cases through late 2024. It discusses the policies and concepts underlying the rules, including critical commentary on judicial reasoning, as well as hypothetical problems, some drawn from the authors’ own experiences trying cases. The revised teacher's manual incorporates detailed explanations for the updated hypotheticals.

Changes from the Seventh Edition include: (1) Updates on significant cases decided from 2019-2024; (2) Amendments to the California Evidence Code, including: amendments affecting the prohibition or limitation on evidence of immigration status; amendments involving disclosure of sexual assault victims’ contact information; evidence of artistic expression in criminal proceedings; (3) Updated discussion of the balancing tests of California Evidence Code Section 352 and Federal Rule 403; (4) Amendments to the Federal Rules, including those outlining a notice procedure for introducing FRE 404(b) specific act evidence; (5) Recent jurisprudence expanding on the meaning of testimonial statements in determining the effect of the Confrontation Clause on the admissibility of hearsay exceptions; and (6) Additional and revised hypotheticals to further explain the applicability of the Code and Federal Rules in real-life situations.


Imprint: West Academic Publishing
Series: American Casebook Series
Publication Date: 05/15/2025

Miguel A. Méndez

Christine Chambers Goodman, Pepperdine University School of Law

Mario Mainero, Chapman University School of Law

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Changes from the Seventh Edition include: (1) Updates on significant cases decided from 2019-2024; (2) Amendments to the California Evidence Code, including: amendments affecting the prohibition or limitation on evidence of immigration status; amendments involving disclosure of sexual assault victims’ contact information; evidence of artistic expression in criminal proceedings; (3) Updated discussion of the balancing tests of California Evidence Code Section 352 and Federal Rule 403; (4) Amendments to the Federal Rules, including those outlining a notice procedure for introducing FRE 404(b) specific act evidence; (5) Recent jurisprudence expanding on the meaning of testimonial statements in determining the effect of the Confrontation Clause on the admissibility of hearsay exceptions; and (6) Additional and revised hypotheticals to further explain the applicability of the Code and Federal Rules in real-life situations.

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