Subject Index Evidence

Under a recent change to the Illinois Code of Criminal Procedure, certain hearsay evidence will soon be admissible in some circumstances.

On September 21, 2000, the Supreme Court of Illinois affirmed the appellate court's decision that it was not error for the trial court to have admitted deposition testimony regarding the plaintiff's prognosis when the testimony was given 25 months prior to trial.

Under a new Illinois law, sexual assault evidence collection kits may be released in an increased number of situations to facilitate prosecutions of alleged offenders.

The 91st General Assembly has taken a second major step toward ensuring criminal justice by requiring that physical evidence used to convict criminals be preserved for DNA and other testing in post-trial proceedings.

On July 6, 2000, the Supreme Court of Illinois reversed the circuit court's finding that section 11-501.4-1 ("the section") of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code is unconstitutional and violated the defendant's right to privacy of his medical records.

On July 6, 2000, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the appellate court's ruling that a defendant who wishes to introduce evidence of a prior injury, whether or not the injury is to the same body part, must introduce evidence establishing the prior injury's relevance.

On November 15, 1999, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the district court’s grant of the defendant’s motion for judgment as a matter of law since the plaintiff, Tina Mizwicki, failed to set forth sufficient evide evidence to show that the defendant was an “employer” for purposes of Title VII.

If blood or urine tests to determine the presence of alcohol or drugs are ``conducted upon persons receiving medical treatment in a hospital emergency room for injuries resulting from a motor vehicle accident,'' PA 91-125 mandates disclosure of the results to police upon request.