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HEARSAY EXCEPTIONS: ADMISSIONS
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STATEMENT OF A PARTY FRE 801(d)(2)(A) & Evid. Code sec. 122O
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Statement Of A Party FRE 801(d)(2)(A) Non Hearsay if: The statement is offered against a party; The statement is the party’s own statement, Individual or Representative Capacity
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Statement Of A Party (cont.) Evid. Code sec. 1220 Not inadmissible by the Hearsay Rule if: The statement is offered against the declarant, In an action where the declarant is a party Individual or Representative Capacity
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Statement Of A Party (cont.) STATEMENT OF A PARTY CAN BE ORAL: Words uttered to a witness Casual conversation Boasting Emotional outburst Formal statement or speech Prior testimony
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Statement Of A Party (cont.) PARTY STATEMENT CAN BE IN WRITING: letters diary entry notes formal written document (affidavit) Memorandum Published work (book, article, op-ed)
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Statement Of A Party (cont.) PARTY STATEMENT CAN BE IN WRITING: e-mail text message facebook twitter you-tube
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Statement Of A Party (cont.) STATEMENT NEED NOT BE AN ADMISSION: must be a statement by a party must be a statement by a party offered by adverse party offered by adverse party can be neutral statement can be neutral statement can be self-serving to declarant can be self-serving to declarant *Discuss Examples
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Statement Of A Party (cont.) STATEMENT NEED NOT BE AN ADMISSION: INSTEAD --- INSTEAD --- STATEMENT MUST BE DISSERVING AT THE TIME IT IS OFFERED BY OPPONENT
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ADOPTIVE ADMISSION FRE 801(d)(2)(B) & Evid. Code sec. 1221
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ADOPTIVE ADMISSION (cont.) FRE 801(d)(2)(B) -- Non Hearsay if: The statement is offered against a party; The statement is offered against a party; The party has manifested an adoption in the belief or truth of statement The party has manifested an adoption in the belief or truth of statement
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ADOPTIVE ADMISSION (cont.) Evid. Code sec. 1221 -- Not inadmissible by the Hearsay Rule if: The statement is offered against the party, The party has knowledge of the content of the statement, and By words or conduct Manifests an adoption or belief in its truth
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ADOPTIVE ADMISSION (cont.) WORDS: “Its true; true story; that’s right …” etc “Its true; true story; that’s right …” etc Victim: “He hit me.” Victim: “He hit me.” Declarant: “She had it coming” or Declarant: “She had it coming” or “He hit me first.” “He hit me first.”
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ADOPTIVE ADMISSION (cont.) WRITINGS: Police statements – police officer writes it and declarant signs it Insurance claim forms – someone else writes it and declarant signs it
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ADOPTIVE ADMISSION (cont.) CONDUCT: Harpo Marx Harpo Marx Submitting IRS filing, loan application, etc (that someone else wrote) Submitting IRS filing, loan application, etc (that someone else wrote)
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ADOPTIVE ADMISSION (cont.) SILENCE: DV victim example (victim and defendant contacted by police – she is beaten up and crying – she is saying “why did you do this to me” -- he stands mute) DV victim example (victim and defendant contacted by police – she is beaten up and crying – she is saying “why did you do this to me” -- he stands mute) 3 car salesmen talking: 1 says to 2 “3 is the best I’ve ever seen, did you see the way he conned that customer into buying those useless warranties”; 3 does not deny or correct 1’s statement. 3 car salesmen talking: 1 says to 2 “3 is the best I’ve ever seen, did you see the way he conned that customer into buying those useless warranties”; 3 does not deny or correct 1’s statement.
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ADOPTIVE ADMISSION (cont.) Re silence in the face of an accusation, Re silence in the face of an accusation, What arguments can be made if: What arguments can be made if: Silence is in the presence of a police officer or government official? Silence is in the presence of a police officer or government official? Silence is in a social situation not directly related to the speaker’s statement? Silence is in a social situation not directly related to the speaker’s statement?
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ADOPTIVE ADMISSION (cont.) NOTE: The accusatory statement is not admitted for its truth, but only to supply meaning to the silence or conduct of the party in the face of it
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ADOPTIVE ADMISSION (cont.) NOTE: Once the party has adopted the statements of another, the statements become the party’s own admissions
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ADOPTIVE ADMISSION (cont.) NOTE: With adoptive admissions, the operative facts occur after the statement With authorized admissions, the operative facts precede the statement
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AUTHORIZED ADMISSIONS FRE 801(d)(2)(C) & Evid. Code sec. 1222
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AUTHORIZED ADMISSIONS (cont.) FRE 801(d)(2)(C) FRE 801(d)(2)(C) Non Hearsay if: Non Hearsay if: The statement is offered against a party; The statement is offered against a party; The statement is made by a person authorized by the party The statement is made by a person authorized by the party To make a statement concerning the subject To make a statement concerning the subject
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AUTHORIZED ADMISSIONS (cont.) Evid. Code sec. 1222 Evid. Code sec. 1222 Not inadmissible by the Hearsay Rule if: Not inadmissible by the Hearsay Rule if: The statement is offered against the party, The statement is offered against the party, Subsection (a): Subsection (a): The statement is made by a person authorized by the party The statement is made by a person authorized by the party To make a statement concerning the subject To make a statement concerning the subject
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AUTHORIZED ADMISSIONS (cont.) Evid. Code 1222, subsection (b): Offered after evidence sufficient to prove authorization, or Offered after evidence sufficient to prove authorization, or Subject to such proof Subject to such proof
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AUTHORIZED ADMISSIONS (cont.) Evid. Code 1222: Only applies if party has authorized the speaker to make statements on that subject matter Only applies if party has authorized the speaker to make statements on that subject matter It is not enough to show that the statement related to the scope of the speakers employment with the party It is not enough to show that the statement related to the scope of the speakers employment with the party In Cal. it is interpreted to be ltd. to high-ranking organizational agents who have actual authority to speak for the organization (Thompson v. City of L.A. (2006) 142 Cal.App.4 th 154, 169.) In Cal. it is interpreted to be ltd. to high-ranking organizational agents who have actual authority to speak for the organization (Thompson v. City of L.A. (2006) 142 Cal.App.4 th 154, 169.) In this way the rule is narrower than FRE 801(d)(2(D) In this way the rule is narrower than FRE 801(d)(2(D)
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AUTHORIZED ADMISSIONS (cont.) Evid. Code 1222: The determination of whether the speaker has authority to speak for the party is made on the specific facts and circumstances of the case in light of the substantive law of agency (O’Mary v. Mitsubishi Electronics America, Inc. (1997) 59 Cal.App.4 th 563, 570; see also comment to Evid.Code § 1222.) The determination of whether the speaker has authority to speak for the party is made on the specific facts and circumstances of the case in light of the substantive law of agency (O’Mary v. Mitsubishi Electronics America, Inc. (1997) 59 Cal.App.4 th 563, 570; see also comment to Evid.Code § 1222.)
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AUTHORIZED ADMISSIONS (cont.) Evid. Code 1222: Hiring an expert does not make the opinions of the expert authorized admissions Hiring an expert does not make the opinions of the expert authorized admissions Statements made after the termination of the employment relationship are inadmissible as authorized admissions under this section Statements made after the termination of the employment relationship are inadmissible as authorized admissions under this section
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OTHER VICARIOUS ADMISSIONS FRE 801(d)(2)(D) & Evid. Code sec. 1224-1227
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OTHER VICARIOUS ADMISSIONS (cont.) FRE 801(d)(2)(D) Non Hearsay if: The statement is offered against a party; The statement is offered against a party; The statement is made by the party’s agent or servant The statement is made by the party’s agent or servant Concerning a matter within the scope of the agency or employment Concerning a matter within the scope of the agency or employment During the existence of the relationship During the existence of the relationship
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OTHER VICARIOUS ADMISSIONS (cont.) FRE 801(d)(2)(C) & (D) (authorized and agent or employee admissions) The contents of the statements may be used, but are not alone enough, to establish the declarant’s authority under (C) or to establish the agency or employment relationship under (D)
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OTHER VICARIOUS ADMISSIONS (cont.) Additional Evid. Code Hearsay exceptions Overlap with sec. 1222 (Authorized admissions) Overlap with sec. 1222 (Authorized admissions) Several other exceptions for admissions attributed to the party Several other exceptions for admissions attributed to the party Each is offered against a party Each is offered against a party
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OTHER VICARIOUS ADMISSIONS (cont.) Sec. 1224 – statement of a declarant whose liability or breach of duty is in issue Sec. 1224 – statement of a declarant whose liability or breach of duty is in issue Example: painter hired by party injures guest – guest sues party Example: painter hired by party injures guest – guest sues party painter’s statement to guest at time of injury (“I’m sorry, how careless of me!”) is attributed against party painter’s statement to guest at time of injury (“I’m sorry, how careless of me!”) is attributed against party
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OTHER VICARIOUS ADMISSIONS (cont.) Sec. 1225 – statement of a declarant whose right or title is in issue Sec. 1225 – statement of a declarant whose right or title is in issue Example: painter sells land to party – guest makes claim on title as a result of promises made by painter – party sues guest to clear title – painter’s statement to guest at time of promises is attributed against party Example: painter sells land to party – guest makes claim on title as a result of promises made by painter – party sues guest to clear title – painter’s statement to guest at time of promises is attributed against party
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OTHER VICARIOUS ADMISSIONS (cont.) Sec. 1226 – statement of minor child in parent’s action for injury to child Sec. 1226 – statement of minor child in parent’s action for injury to child Example: painter hired by party injures guest’s child – guest, on behalf of child, sues party Example: painter hired by party injures guest’s child – guest, on behalf of child, sues party child’s statement to painter at time of injury (“sorry mister, I was running too fast”) is attributed against guest child’s statement to painter at time of injury (“sorry mister, I was running too fast”) is attributed against guest
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OTHER VICARIOUS ADMISSIONS (cont.) Sec. 1227 – statement of a declarant in action for wrongful death Sec. 1227 – statement of a declarant in action for wrongful death Example: painter hired by party injures guest – guest dies – survivors sue party Example: painter hired by party injures guest – guest dies – survivors sue party guest’s statement to painter at time of injury (“no, no, you weren’t careless, I was distracted and should have seen you”) is attributed against survivor guest’s statement to painter at time of injury (“no, no, you weren’t careless, I was distracted and should have seen you”) is attributed against survivor
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CO-CONSPIRATOR’S STATEMENTS FRE 801(d)(2)(E) & Evid. Code sec. 1223
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CO-CONSPIRATOR’S STATEMENTS (cont.) FRE 801(d)(2)(E) FRE 801(d)(2)(E) Non Hearsay if: Non Hearsay if: The statement is offered against a party; The statement is offered against a party; The statement is made by a coconspirator The statement is made by a coconspirator During the course of the conspiracy During the course of the conspiracy And in furtherance of the conspiracy And in furtherance of the conspiracy
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CO-CONSPIRATOR’S STATEMENTS (cont.) Evid. Code sec. 1223 Evid. Code sec. 1223 Not inadmissible by the Hearsay Rule if: Not inadmissible by the Hearsay Rule if: The statement is offered against the party, The statement is offered against the party, The statement was made by declarant while participating The statement was made by declarant while participating In a conspiracy to commit a crime or civil wrong In a conspiracy to commit a crime or civil wrong And in furtherance of the objective of that conspiracy And in furtherance of the objective of that conspiracy The statement was made prior to or during the time that the party was The statement was made prior to or during the time that the party was participating in the conspiracy participating in the conspiracy
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CO-CONSPIRATOR’S STATEMENTS (cont.) Coconspirator’s statements may be offered against a party without evidence of authorization for the declarant to speak for the party Coconspirator’s statements may be offered against a party without evidence of authorization for the declarant to speak for the party Coconspirators are presumed to authorize each other to speak for each other if certain conditions are met related to the circumstances surrounding the making of the statements Coconspirators are presumed to authorize each other to speak for each other if certain conditions are met related to the circumstances surrounding the making of the statements
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CO-CONSPIRATOR’S STATEMENTS (cont.) FRE FRE Allows the statements themselves to be used as evidence of the existence of the conspiracy Allows the statements themselves to be used as evidence of the existence of the conspiracy But must have additional facts to determine preliminary issues (existence of conspiracy, participation therein of declarant and the party) But must have additional facts to determine preliminary issues (existence of conspiracy, participation therein of declarant and the party) Court must consider the circumstances surrounding the statement including the identity of the speaker, the context in which the statement was made and evidence corroborating the contents of the statement in determining each preliminary fact Court must consider the circumstances surrounding the statement including the identity of the speaker, the context in which the statement was made and evidence corroborating the contents of the statement in determining each preliminary fact
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CO-CONSPIRATOR’S STATEMENTS (cont.) Evid. Code requires sufficient evidence for a reasonable finder of fact to find foundational facts to be true (existence of conspiracy, participation therein of declarant and the party) requires sufficient evidence for a reasonable finder of fact to find foundational facts to be true (existence of conspiracy, participation therein of declarant and the party) Coconspirator statements can be excluded from this analysis on a hearsay objection Coconspirator statements can be excluded from this analysis on a hearsay objection
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