EVIDENCE Basics 2
The Fundamental Rule 2
Sources of Evidence Law 2
Burden and Quantum of Proof 2
Civil Proceedings: 3
Criminal Proceedings: 3
WITNESSES: COMPETENCY AND COMPELLABILITY 5
The Oath 5
Spousal Competency 6
Competency of Children/Mental Incompetents 7
The Accused: Compellability, Silence or Failure to Testify 8
Rules in CEA, Charter 9
RELEVANCE/MATERIALITY and PROBATIVE VALUE/PREJUDICIAL EFFECT 9
Relevance and Materiality 9
Probative Value and Prejudicial Effect 12
Prejudicial Effect in Sexual Offences Seaboyer 12
Intrinsic Exclusionary Rules 17
HEARSAY 17
The Hearsay Analysis 17
Testimonial Factors Baldree, McCormick text 17
Primary Criteria for Admissibility (Wigmore’s Ordering Principles) 18
Non-Hearsay Words 18
Implied Assertions and Hearsay by Conduct 18
Traditional Exceptions to Hearsay Rule 19
1. Party Admissions Exception 19
2. Res Gestae, Spontaneous Utterances, & Dying Declarations 21
3. Statements Against Pecuniary and Penal Interest
22
4. Business Records (Declarations in Course of Duty) 23
5. Testimony in Prior Judicial Proceedings
24
6. Prior Criminal Convictions
25
7. Statements Concerning Bodily and Mental Condition
25
8. Statements of Intention 25
Principled Approach to Hearsay 26
R v. Post Principled Approach Summary 27
OPINION EVIDENCE 31
The General Exclusionary Rule 31
Lay Opinion Exception
31
Expert Opinion Exception 32
The Mohan test for admitting expert opinion evidence 32
Essential Features of New Expert Rules 33
CREDIBILITY – Goes to “witnesses”, though could be classed as exclusionary rule 35
Credibility and Reliability 35
Assessing Credibility and Demeanour 35
Examination of a Witness 36
Refreshing and Recording Memory 37
Assessing the Credibility of Child Witnesses R v. W(R), R v. B(G)
38
Supporting Your Witnesses’ Credibility 38
General Rule Against Oath-Helping 38
Exceptions: 1. Expert evidence 38
2. Accused’s reputation for veracity 39
3. Prior consistent statements 39
4. Narrative/rebuttal 40
5. Statutory Exception to Rule Against Oath Helping 40
6. Recent Complaint/Fabrication in Sexual Assault Cases 40
Impeaching Credibility Other Side’s Witness
41
1. Expert Evidence 41
2. Witness’s Bad Reputation for Veracity (Truthfulness) 41
3. Prior Inconsistent Statements: Other party’s witness 42
4. Prior Conviction 42
5. Bias or corruption 43
6. Direct Examination 43
7. Cross-Examination 44
Collateral Facts Bar – Exclusionary Rule Phipson (Adopted by SCC) 45
Other Credibility Issues 47
1. Impeaching Own witness 47
Adverse Witness: 47
2. Corroboration 48
3. Accused as Witness (see above) 49
CHARACTER EVIDENCE 50
Character Evidence and the Accused 50
Putting Accused’s Character in Issue 51
Character of 3rd Parties and Victims 54
Character of victims in sexual assault cases: 54
Character of victims in self-defence: 55
Similar Fact Evidence Rule & Character 56
Character and SFE in civil cases 60
PRIVILEGE (exclusionary rule) 60
Class Privilege 60
Solicitor-Client Privilege 60
Exceptions to Solicitor-Client Privilege: Criminal Purpose, Public Safety, Innocence at Stake 61
Litigation Privilege 63
Marital Privilege 64
Settlement Negotiation Privilege “Without Prejudice” 64
Informer Privilege 65
Case-By-Case Privilege 66
Religious Communications Privilege 66
Journalistic Privilege 66
Psychiatric Records Privilege 67
Public Interest Immunity or “Crown Privilege” 67
s.37 CEA Disclosure and Public Interest 68
s.38-38.16 CEA National Security 68
s.39 CEA Cabinet Secrecy 69
Third Party Privacy: Protecting Privacy Without Privilege 70
O’Connor Disclosure Regime: 71
Mills Regime: 71
Implied Undertakings 72
Privilege Against Self-Incrimination 73
Statements by the Accused 75
The Common Law Confession Rule 75
Person in Authority 76
The Voir Dire 76
Voluntariness Considerations Oickle 76
Right to Silence and Improperly Obtained Evidence 78
s.10(b) Charter: Right to Counsel 78
s.7 Charter: Right to Silence 78
Common Law Right to Silence 80
s.24(2) Charter Exclusion 80
Real and Demonstrative Evidence: Non-Testimonial Means of Proof 82
s.655 Criminal Code Admissions at trial 82
Admissions: BC Civil Rules 83
s.652 Views 83
Admission of Real and Demonstrative Evidence 83
Admission of Documents 84
Photos and Videos 85
Judicial Notice 86
Keep Four Concepts Distinct: 87
1. Search for truth – especially in how we get info from witnesses
3. Efficiency of trial process