PAR 106 - Civil and Criminal Evidence

1. Define the role of the paralegal in gathering, preserving, and organizing evidence.
2. Describe relevant evidence.
3. Compare and contrast privilege in Arizona state court with the federal court.
4. Identify a competent witness.
5. Define and give examples of lay and expert opinion testimony.
6. Explain the importance of recognizing hearsay testimony and identify when exceptions can apply.
7. Compare and contrast authentication of a document by witnesses and self-authentication.
8. Explain the rules regarding contents of writings, recordings, and photographs.

1. Introduction to Evidence
   1. Definition of evidence
   2. Role of the paralegal in gathering, preserving and organizing evidence
   3. Judicial notice
   4. Chain of custody
2. Relevancy and its Limits
   1. Definition
   2. Admissibility
   3. Exclusion
   4. Examine and apply rules of evidence regarding relevancy
   5. Role of the paralegal
3. Privileges
   1. Federal general rule
   2. Arizona state rules
4. Use, Impeachment, and Exclusion of Witnesses
   1. Mode and order of interrogation and presentation
   2. Impeachment
   3. Examine and apply rules of evidence regarding witnesses
   4. Exclusion of witnesses
   5. Role of paralegal with witnesses
5. Opinion and Expert Testimony
   1. Opinions by lay witnesses
   2. Expert testimony
   3. Examine and apply rules of evidence regarding opinion and expert testimony
   4. Role of paralegal with expert witnesses
6. Hearsay
   1. Examine and apply hearsay rule
   2. Exceptions to hearsay rule
   3. Paralegals use of hearsay rule in taking witness statements
7. Authentication
   1. Examine and apply rules of evidence regarding authentication
   2. Self-authentication
8. Contents of Writings, Recordings, and Photographs
   1. Public records
   2. Summaries
   3. Examine and apply rules of evidence regarding contents of writings, recordings, and photographs