Overview
This lecture introduces the concept of relevance in evidence law, focusing on Federal Rules of Evidence 401 and 402, which define and govern what evidence is admissible in court.
Definition of Relevance
- Evidence is relevant if it has any tendency to make a fact more or less probable than it would be without the evidence.
- The fact affected by the evidence must be of consequence in determining the action (i.e., it must matter to the case).
Federal Rules of Evidence
- Rule 401: Defines relevant evidence as having any tendency to affect the probability of a consequential fact.
- Rule 402: States that relevant evidence is admissible unless excluded by the Constitution, federal statutes, these rules, or Supreme Court rules.
- Irrelevant evidence is not admissible under Rule 402.
Application and Jurisdiction
- The Federal Rules of Evidence are used in most states, with Pennsylvania adopting nearly identical rules.
- Connecticut and California use different numbers and have some differences, but most states follow the federal system closely.
- Relevant evidence may still be excluded by other legal provisions, such as the Fourth Amendment, which can exclude unlawfully obtained evidence.
Importance of Statutory Language
- Precise use of statutory language in court improves credibility and communication with the judge.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Relevance — The quality of evidence that makes a fact more or less probable and is important to deciding the case.
- Federal Rule of Evidence 401 — The rule that defines when evidence is considered relevant.
- Federal Rule of Evidence 402 — The rule that governs the admissibility of relevant and irrelevant evidence.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare to review and discuss the State v. Newman case in the next session.
- Read Federal Rules of Evidence 401 and 402.