Subject Index Evidence

“Rape Shield” for Civil Lawsuits

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
May
2009
LawPulse
, Page 220
An Illinois House bill would extend the prohibition against admitting evidence of an alleged victim's sexual history to sexual harassment charges.

A Snipe-Hunter’s guide to Coaxing Answers from Hostile Witnesses

By Hon. Ron Spears
May
2009
Column
, Page 260
Preparation and skillful questioning can help you bag your quarry.

Evidence Resources or Illinois Practitioners

By Tom Gaylord
March
2009
Column
, Page 154
A look at some free evidence-related online resources.

Scientific Evidence About Grief in Illinois Wrongful Death Cases

By Timothy J. Reuland & Shirley A. Murphy
March
2009
Article
, Page 146
A 2007 amendment to the Illinois Wrongful Death Act permits recovery for grief. This article discusses the evidence that makes the case for damages.

Admission of prior juvenile adjudications allowed to

February
2009
Illinois Law Update
, Page 70
On December 2, 2008, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the Illinois Appellate Court, Third District, which affirmed the decision of the Circuit Court of Peoria County to allow the state to impeach a defendant with certified copies of his prior juvenile adjudications.

Committee studies codification of evidence rules

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
February
2009
LawPulse
, Page 64
A new supreme court special committee is charged with devising a more convenient organizational scheme for the Illinois rules of evidence.

New hearsay exception added for the intentional murder of a witness. PA 095-1004

February
2009
Illinois Law Update
, Page 70
The Illinois General Assembly amended the Code of Criminal Procedure by adding section 115-10.6, which creates a new hearsay exception when evidence is offered against a party that has killed the declarant "intending to procure the unavailability of the declarant as a witness in a criminal or civil proceeding." 725 ILCS 5/115-10.6.

Subpoena for medical records

January
2009
Illinois Law Update
, Page 16
On October 31, 2008, the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District, reversed the judgment of the Circuit Court of Logan County denying the state's request for a subpoena duces tecum, seeking release of a defendant's medical records for the day the defendant was charged with driving under the influence (DUI).

Incriminating statements suppressed in first degree murder case

December
2008
Illinois Law Update
, Page 612
On September 30, 2008, the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District, affirmed the judgment of the Circuit Court of McLean County granting the defendant's two motions to suppress evidence. 

The Crawford Confrontation-Clause Bar: Governmental Involvement Is Key to “Testimonial” Hearsay

By Hon. Daniel B. Shanes
November
2008
Article
, Page 574
The author argues that statements are rarely "testimonial" - and thus barred - if the government did not produce them.

Evidence sufficient to uphold conviction for disorderly conduct

November
2008
Illinois Law Update
, Page 554
On August 20, 2008, the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, affirmed the judgment of the Circuit Court of Cook County finding the defendant guilty of disorderly conduct. 

Polygraph Exams in Sex-Offense Cases

By Kerry J. Bryson
October
2008
Article
, Page 528
Despite doubts about their reliability, polygraph exams are required in sex-offense cases. This article discusses the law.

Depositions of Gravely Ill Illinois Claimants

By Professor Jeffrey A. Parness
September
2008
Column
, Page 476
 A majority in Berry found that while the trial court ruled correctly the system failed.

Fees for Physician Testimony: What’s Reasonable?

By Timothy J. Harris
September
2008
Article
, Page 460
A look at the governing rules, along with common-sense ways lawyers can keep doctors from charging too much for testifying.

Negligent Spoliation in the Wake of Jones v O’Brien Tire and Battery

By Shane M. Carnine
September
2008
Article
, Page 470
A recent appellate case arguably changes the requirements for a spoliation claim.

Eyewitnesses and the Rashomon Effect

By Hon. Ron Spears
August
2008
Column
, Page 424
Research indicates that eyewitness testimony is less reliable than people think.

No discovery deps allowed

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
August
2008
LawPulse
, Page 384
A recent case underscores the importance of taking a party's evidence - not discovery - deposition if he or she may die before trial.

Correspondence from Our Readers

July
2008
Column
, Page 330
Sharia law? Voluntary dismissal; confrontation clause; HUD-1 form.st.

A Quick Guide to the Illinois Dead Man’s Act

By William T. Gibbs
July
2008
Article
, Page 352
According to the hornbooks, the Act bars testimony by someone with an interest in litigation about a conversation with or event occurring in the presence of a decedent. But what does that mean?

No error in allowing evidence of past convictions

June
2008
Illinois Law Update
, Page 284
On April 3, 2008, the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District, affirmed the judgment of the circuit court allowing the prosecution to present evidence of the defendant's prior convictions for aggravated battery and aggravated assault.

When Hearsay Testimony Is a Nonevent Under the Confrontation Clause

By Robert J. Steigmann
June
2008
Article
, Page 304
An Illinois Appellate Court justice says that a witness who disavows his or her own hearsay statements is not "unavailable" as to those statements.

Authentication and Identification of E-Mail Evidence

By Hon. William J. Haddad
May
2008
Article
, Page 252
Learn how to use circumstantial evidence to show that e-mail really came from the purported sender.

No suppression of evidence obtained in violation of Illinois eavesdropping statute

April
2008
Illinois Law Update
, Page 180
On February 7, 2008, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the order of the Circuit Court of Du Page County refusing to suppress evidence obtained in violation of the Illinois eavesdropping statute, 720 ILCS 5/14-2. 

Federal wiretapping evidence admissible though barred by state law

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
March
2008
LawPulse
, Page 118
Evidence gathered in a joint federal-state investigation is admissible in state court if it complies with federal, though not state, eavesdropping law.

Admission of detective’s testimony did not violate the Confrontation Clause

February
2008
Illinois Law Update
, Page 72
On November 30, 2007, the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, affirmed the judgment of the Circuit Court of Cook County sentencing the defendant to 85 years for first degree murder and home invasion.

Diogenes and the Testimonial Whopper

By Hon. Ron Spears
February
2008
Column
, Page 104
What can we do to improve the accuracy and honesty of witness testimony? Not enough.

How to Admit or Exclude PBT Results

By Eric R. Waltmire
February
2008
Article
, Page 92
Police sometimes administer preliminary breath tests to drivers stopped on suspicion of DUI. When and how are the results admissible in a hearing? Here's a look at the cases.

No psych-record access for “garden variety” employee emotional distress claims

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
February
2008
LawPulse
, Page 66
A recent ruling explains when employer-defendants can and cannot get access to employee-plaintiffs' medical and psychological records when employees sue for emotional distress cause by illegal discrimination.

State must establish foundation for admittance of electronic conversation transcript

December
2007
Illinois Law Update
, Page 632
On September 28, 2007, the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, reversed and remanded for new trial the judgment of the Circuit Court of Cook County convicting the defendant of indecent solicitation of a child because the State did “nothing to establish a foundation for the admissibility of the transcripts as evidence.” 

Using Videos at Trial: The Big Picture

By Hon. James P. Flannery Jr.
December
2007
Article
, Page 642
What foundation is needed to introduce a video at trial in Illinois? Are videos subject to discovery? The author explores that and more.

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