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The Proper Test For Assessing The Admissibility Of Nonscientific Expert Evidence Under Federal Rule Of Evidence 702, 1997 John M. Manos Writing Competition On Evidence , Peter B. Oh Jan 1997

The Proper Test For Assessing The Admissibility Of Nonscientific Expert Evidence Under Federal Rule Of Evidence 702, 1997 John M. Manos Writing Competition On Evidence , Peter B. Oh

Cleveland State Law Review

Courts have fashioned various common law standards to determine the admissibility of nonscientific expert evidence. This Article examines these different standards to evince the need for harmony. Part I of this article examines the admissibility tests for nonscientific expert evidence administered by federal courts before Federal Rule of Evidence 702. The first such test appears in Frye v. United States, which establishes only expert knowledge based on a method or principle that has gained sufficient "general acceptance" can be admitted. Part I concludes by discussing the problems that plague these different applied tests and beckon for a single standard. Part …


Felton V. Felton: A Case Study , James Wilsman Jan 1997

Felton V. Felton: A Case Study , James Wilsman

Cleveland State Law Review

The Felton decision ends years of conflict among Ohio's Appellate Districts as to whether or not the higher burden of proof of "clear and convincing evidence" is required in domestic violence cases. This article discusses the issue of whether the court inadvertently violated the constitutional rights of those individuals accused of committing acts of domestic violence. The author suggests that by abrogating the need for corroborating evidence, the Court has, in effect, made it difficult for those individuals who are innocent from protecting themselves against false allegations. Part II discusses the Felton case, while Part III briefly walks through the …


Psychotherapist-Patient Privilege: A Rational Approach To Defining Psychotherapist, The 1997 John M. Manos Writing Competition On Evidence, Kathleen M. Maynard Jan 1997

Psychotherapist-Patient Privilege: A Rational Approach To Defining Psychotherapist, The 1997 John M. Manos Writing Competition On Evidence, Kathleen M. Maynard

Cleveland State Law Review

In the recently decided case of Jaffee v. Redmond, the United States Supreme Court acknowledged the existence of a psychotherapist-patient privilege under Federal Rule of Evidence 501 for the first time. This Article will make recommendations to lower federal courts that must construe the meaning of "psychotherapist." Part II will provide an overview of federal psychotherapist-patient privilege law prior to Jaffee. Part III will discuss the Court's decision to expand the definition of "psychotherapist" based upon the increased demand for therapy among lower income Americans. Part IV will make three arguments explaining why lower federal courts are free to extend …


The Character Evidence Defense: Acquittal Based On Good Character, Thomas J. Reed Jan 1997

The Character Evidence Defense: Acquittal Based On Good Character, Thomas J. Reed

Cleveland State Law Review

This article centers on the case of United States v. Martinez, the only recent case in which an accused was acquitted on the ground of good moral character. Martinez illustrates the powerful effect of a good character evidence defense that showed the accused led a blameless life before being inveigled into drug courier service by an intimidating DEA informer. This article begins with a brief review of United States v. Martinez. Following a presentation of this case, the article shifts focus to examine what our sister discipline of psychology can tell us about human personality and the cross-situational stability of …


Therapists' Liability To The Falsely Accused For Inducing Illusory Memories Of Childhood Sexual Abuse - Current Remedies And A Proposed Statute, Joel Jay Finer Jan 1996

Therapists' Liability To The Falsely Accused For Inducing Illusory Memories Of Childhood Sexual Abuse - Current Remedies And A Proposed Statute, Joel Jay Finer

Journal of Law and Health

While sexual abuse of children has always been a real and horrific phenomenon (a fact unrecognized until relatively recently), the issue this Article will explore is whether, and under what circumstances, a person wrongly accused has, or should have, one or more causes of action against a therapist for culpably inducing the pseudomemory. To refine and make more rational legal actions by persons falsely accused of childhood sexual molestation (arguably justified under existing legal doctrine), this Article will propose specific legislation authorizing a lawsuit under codified circumstances and conditions.


Branding The Sexual Predator: Constitutional Ramifications Of Federal Rules Of Evidence 413 Through 415, Margaret C. Livnah Jan 1996

Branding The Sexual Predator: Constitutional Ramifications Of Federal Rules Of Evidence 413 Through 415, Margaret C. Livnah

Cleveland State Law Review

This Note seeks to address both the potential constitutional consequences of the newly passed Federal Rules of Evidence 413 and 414 and the problems that these revisions were designed to remedy. Section II will introduce the history of the passage of these controversial revisions as primarily a political process and one which bypassed the standard rules of practice. Section III will address the procedural violations and the troubling inconsistency of the new rules with the federal courts' interpretation of the other Federal Rules of Evidence. Section IV of this Note will address the substantive constitutional issues presented by these amendments, …


Impeachment Of Party By Prior Inconsistent Statement In Compromise Negotiations: Admissibility Under Federal Rule Of Evidence 408, Fred S. Hjelmeset Jan 1995

Impeachment Of Party By Prior Inconsistent Statement In Compromise Negotiations: Admissibility Under Federal Rule Of Evidence 408, Fred S. Hjelmeset

Cleveland State Law Review

This note will explore the concept of compromise and the public policy in furtherance of compromise and settlement, and then discuss whether Rule 408,in its current form, is maximizing its potential to effectively serve that public policy. The note concludes that an amendment extending Rule 408's protective reach to exclude a party's prior inconsistent statements in compromise negotiations from admission into evidence for impeachment purposes would strengthen the inducement to settle claims without erecting any new substantial obstacles in the way of the truth-finding process. The central rationale is that, if the laws permit compromise negotiations to become arenas where …


An Opinion: Federal Judges Misconstrue Rule 704 (Or Is That An Impermissible Legal Conclusion), Kathy Jo Cook Jan 1995

An Opinion: Federal Judges Misconstrue Rule 704 (Or Is That An Impermissible Legal Conclusion), Kathy Jo Cook

Cleveland State Law Review

This article addresses the need to formulate a uniform and predictable approach to the admissibility of expert opinion testimony which relates the law to the facts. First, it briefly discusses the history of expert opinion testimony. Second, it discusses, through a case analysis, the difficult, if not impossible task that courts have assumed in attempting to differentiate between two types of expert opinions: (1) those which are, by their nature, factual; and (2) those which require some level of legal analysis-directly relating the law to the facts of the case. Finally, this article suggests an alternative approach which is arguably …


Rhetoric, Evidence, And Bar Agency Restrictions On Speech By Attorneys, Lloyd B. Snyder Jan 1995

Rhetoric, Evidence, And Bar Agency Restrictions On Speech By Attorneys, Lloyd B. Snyder

Law Faculty Articles and Essays

There are two problems with permitting litigation about attorney speech to proceed without requiring bar disciplinary agencies to present empirical data or other evidence to support claims that restrictions on attorney speech are necessary. First, the history of bar association restrictions on attorney speech should make us skeptical that the bar rules are based on lofty ideals about protection of the public. The restrictions began as rules promulgated by elite corporate lawyers whose effect was to limit the activities of their less affluent brethren who were representing criminal defendants and other impoverished clients. The purpose of the rules was to …


Employee Dishonesty And The After-Acquired Evidence Doctrine: Why Honesty Is The Best Policy, Georgia Stanaitis Jan 1994

Employee Dishonesty And The After-Acquired Evidence Doctrine: Why Honesty Is The Best Policy, Georgia Stanaitis

Cleveland State Law Review

The Eleventh Circuit has stated that application of the after-acquired evidence doctrine as a complete defense is too rigid and that it produces harsh, inequitable results. At the same time, the Eleventh Circuit has voted to rehear the case setting forth this view. Until the rehearing, the Eleventh Circuit's principles are sound.13 Specifically, the Eleventh Circuit has criticized Summers as being antithetical to the principal purposes of Title VII which are to achieve equality of employment opportunity and make whole, so far as is possible, the individual or class affected by the discrimination. The Eleventh Circuit and arbitral forums, such …


Much Ado About Nothing - The Supreme Court Still Fails To Solve The General Acceptance Problem Regarding Expert Testimony And Scientific Evidence , Joseph B. Spero Jan 1993

Much Ado About Nothing - The Supreme Court Still Fails To Solve The General Acceptance Problem Regarding Expert Testimony And Scientific Evidence , Joseph B. Spero

Journal of Law and Health

This paper will discuss and analyze the problem of scientific evidence and expert testimony from Frye v. United States to the new grounds for admissibility established by the Supreme Court of the United States in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. This note will specifically focus on some of the changes made by the courts to the common law rule and follow its transformation to a more liberal standard within the federal court system. The paper will conclude that the courts have not really changed their position on the admissibility of scientific evidence and that their current criteria still are …


Chicken Little's Revenge: Strict Judicial Scrutiny Of Scientific Evidence, Scott Charles Walker Jan 1993

Chicken Little's Revenge: Strict Judicial Scrutiny Of Scientific Evidence, Scott Charles Walker

Cleveland State Law Review

This note focuses on the current controversy over admissibility standards for novel scientific testimony. It will trace the development of legal standards for expert witness admissibility from the common law through the adoption of the Federal Rules of Evidence and to the current trend of strict judicial scrutiny. In addition, this note will analyze the issues before the United States Supreme Court in Daubert and will argue, in spite of indications to the contrary, that the Court should not be too quick to continue tightening the judicial noose on scientific experts. Finally, this note will dispute the utility of amending …


When Defendant Becomes The Victim: A Child's Recantation As Newly Discovered Evidence, Christopher J. Sinnott Jan 1993

When Defendant Becomes The Victim: A Child's Recantation As Newly Discovered Evidence, Christopher J. Sinnott

Cleveland State Law Review

This note will explore the standards for granting new trials within the child recantation setting. It will argue that insistence on respecting the evidentiary statements of children is contrary to common sense and current research. As a result, the standards for new trial ought to be rethought. Part II will analyze the two prevalent standards used by courts to weigh the merit of a new trial motion and will show why both standards present a nearly insurmountable hurdle for a movant to satisfy. Part III will explore the special issues that confront a court each time a young "victim" testifies. …


Genetically Altered Admissibility: Legislative Notice Of Dna Typing, Jayne L. Jakubaitis Jan 1991

Genetically Altered Admissibility: Legislative Notice Of Dna Typing, Jayne L. Jakubaitis

Cleveland State Law Review

This note examines the conflict over acceptance of DNA evidence. Part I discusses the process of DNA typing as a form of scientific evidence and the courts' responses to this novel technique. Part II examines the legislative responses to DNA typing. Part III explores the potential impact of the admissibility statutes both on the courts and on the accused. Finally, Part IV suggests areas of legislative regulation which may aid in resolving the current difficulties of DNA typing.


Genetically Altered Admissibility: Legislative Notice Of Dna Typing, Jayne L. Jakubaitis Jan 1991

Genetically Altered Admissibility: Legislative Notice Of Dna Typing, Jayne L. Jakubaitis

Cleveland State Law Review

This note examines the conflict over acceptance of DNA evidence. Part I discusses the process of DNA typing as a form of scientific evidence and the courts' responses to this novel technique. Part II examines the legislative responses to DNA typing. Part III explores the potential impact of the admissibility statutes both on the courts and on the accused. Finally, Part IV suggests areas of legislative regulation which may aid in resolving the current difficulties of DNA typing.


Public Opinion Polls And Surveys As Evidence: Suggestions For Resolving Confusing And Conflicting Standards Governing Weight And Admissibility , Susan J. Becker Jan 1991

Public Opinion Polls And Surveys As Evidence: Suggestions For Resolving Confusing And Conflicting Standards Governing Weight And Admissibility , Susan J. Becker

Law Faculty Articles and Essays

Section I provides a basic overview of public opinion polls, beginning with a brief explanation of the current popularity of this type of data, followed by a discussion of the courts' historic treatment of survey evidence and a review of modern standards which courts use in evaluating the weight and admissibility of polling data. The exact "rules" governing the conduct of litigants and their respective counsel in commissioning and executing a survey and those governing the courts' refereeing of evidentiary disputes over polling data remain unclear. These unresolved issues are discussed in Section II. Suggestions for moving toward a more …


The Existing Confidentiality Privileges As Applied To Rape Victims, Bridget M. Mccafferty Jan 1990

The Existing Confidentiality Privileges As Applied To Rape Victims, Bridget M. Mccafferty

Journal of Law and Health

It is evident that when this type of questioning occurs, the victim must overcome the presumption that she is at fault. As it exists, the prosecution of the rapist also results in the prosecution of the victim. However, it is undeniable that the defendant in a rape case is presumed innocent until a judicial determination states otherwise. A dilemma arises when the court attempts to balance the victim's right to bring the accused to trial and the defendant's right to prove his innocence. Currently, the judicial system favors the presumption of the defendant's innocence, presupposing that the victim has falsely …


Gates, Leon And The Compromise Of Adjudicatory Fairness: (Part Ii)-Aggressive Majoritarianism, Willful Deafness, And The New Exception To The Exclusionary Rule, Joel J. Finer Jan 1986

Gates, Leon And The Compromise Of Adjudicatory Fairness: (Part Ii)-Aggressive Majoritarianism, Willful Deafness, And The New Exception To The Exclusionary Rule, Joel J. Finer

Law Faculty Articles and Essays

This Article will offer an elaboration of the idea of judicial "aggressiveness" (which Professor Stone, by and large, leaves undefined) through examination of the majority opinion in United States v. Leon and its application in Massachusetts v. Sheppard. It will also advance the thesis that the majority in Leon exhibited a particular kind of aggressiveness--willful deafness.


Hypnotically Refreshed Testimony: Is It Legally Relevant To A Criminal Proceeding In Ohio, Thomas H. Allison Jan 1986

Hypnotically Refreshed Testimony: Is It Legally Relevant To A Criminal Proceeding In Ohio, Thomas H. Allison

Cleveland State Law Review

In the past twenty years a growing number of courts, both state and federal, have addressed the problem of the admissibility in a criminal trial of testimony by a witness whose memory has been "refreshed" by the use of pre-trial hypnosis. Some courts are of the opinion that hypnosis is nothing more than a memory aid, to be treated like any other device to refresh recollection. Other courts believe hypnosis is more of a "science," and as such should be treated consistently with the rules for the admission of other scientific evidence. While the reliability of using hypnosis to refresh …


Gates, Leon And The Compromise Of Adjudicatory Fairness: (Part I)-A Dialogue On Prejudicial Concurrences, Joel J. Finer Jan 1985

Gates, Leon And The Compromise Of Adjudicatory Fairness: (Part I)-A Dialogue On Prejudicial Concurrences, Joel J. Finer

Law Faculty Articles and Essays

On July 5, 1984, the Supreme Court in Leon v. United States held that where law enforcement officials execute a search warrant issued in violation of the dictates of the fourth amendment but act in the "good faith," "objectively-reasonable" belief that the warrant was constitutionally valid, the fruits of the search should not (with a few exceptions) be excluded from evidence under the exclusionary rule. On June 8, 1983, in Illinois v. Gates, the Supreme Court, after calling for and receiving briefs and arguments on the same issue of whether the exclusionary rule should be modified, concluded, for reasons of …


The Availability Of The Attorney-Client And Work-Product Privileges In Shareholder Litigation, Donald B. Lewis Jan 1983

The Availability Of The Attorney-Client And Work-Product Privileges In Shareholder Litigation, Donald B. Lewis

Cleveland State Law Review

In Garner v. Wolfinbarger, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit broke important ground in the law of the attorney-client privilege. The court held that in securities litigation in which the officers and directors of a corporation are charged with having acted inimically to shareholder interests, a plaintiff is entitled to show "good cause" why the privilege should not be invoked by the corporation to preclude discovery of relevant evidence. This decision has been applauded and followed by most federal courts. At the same time, the efficacy of such principles has been substantially undercut by unwarranted glosses …


A Practical Approach To The Use Of Expert Testimony, Irving Younger Jan 1982

A Practical Approach To The Use Of Expert Testimony, Irving Younger

Cleveland State Law Review

I will raise the questions that a lawyer is likely to put to himself when preparing a case involving expert witnesses, followed by an explanation of how to deal with the expert witness in court. After raising particular issues, I will sketch out the answer that you will find, and since we need to look at some particular jurisdiction, I will pay attention to the federal jurisdiction and the twenty or so states that have enacted the Federal Rules of Evidence. Then, by way of contrast, I will refer to some New York cases, simply because first, I know them …


Robbins, Belton And Ross: Reconsideration Of Bright Line Rules For Warrantless Container Searches, Christopher J. St. John Jan 1982

Robbins, Belton And Ross: Reconsideration Of Bright Line Rules For Warrantless Container Searches, Christopher J. St. John

Cleveland State Law Review

This Note analyzes the development of these warrantless container search and seizure exceptions to furnish a comprehensive review of their justifications. The major focus is on the underlying rationale of Belton and Ross and the possible ramifications of such far-reaching warrant exceptions. The Note recommends that state courts interpret their state constitutions to allow the less drastic alternative of warrantless seizures of certain containers rather than warrantless searches as permitted by Belton and Ross under the federal Constitution. In addition, an analytic methodology for isolating interrelated yet distinct search and seizure questions is proposed. Initially, a general background of fourth …


Privileged Communications Between Counsel And The Corporate Client, Robert G. Markey, Craig S. Bonnell Jan 1979

Privileged Communications Between Counsel And The Corporate Client, Robert G. Markey, Craig S. Bonnell

Cleveland State Law Review

At present inconsistent lower federal appellate court decisions governing the use of the attorney-client privilege and work-product doctrine apply to the discovery of communications between counsel and the corporate client. Because of the distinctions that have developed in the application of the corporate attorney-client privilege and work-product doctrine due to the unique factual settings in which the issues have arisen, prior case law may not be totally preempted by the Supreme Court decision in Upjohn. This article will explore some of these divergent opinions to determine the probable effect that the Court's decision in Upjohn will have upon communications between …


Privileged Communications Between Counsel And The Corporate Client, Robert G. Markey, Craig S. Bonnell Jan 1979

Privileged Communications Between Counsel And The Corporate Client, Robert G. Markey, Craig S. Bonnell

Cleveland State Law Review

At present inconsistent lower federal appellate court decisions governing the use of the attorney-client privilege and work-product doctrine apply to the discovery of communications between counsel and the corporate client. Because of the distinctions that have developed in the application of the corporate attorney-client privilege and work-product doctrine due to the unique factual settings in which the issues have arisen, prior case law may not be totally preempted by the Supreme Court decision in Upjohn. This article will explore some of these divergent opinions to determine the probable effect that the Court's decision in Upjohn will have upon communications between …


The Federal Rules Of Evidence And The Quality Of Practice In Federal Courts, Stephen A. Saltzburg Jan 1978

The Federal Rules Of Evidence And The Quality Of Practice In Federal Courts, Stephen A. Saltzburg

Cleveland State Law Review

One point that I shall endeavor to make today is that the Federal Rules of Evidence offer an opportunity for dramatic improvement in federal trial court practice. In the hands of the most experienced practitioner or the novice litigator just weaned from law school, the evidence rules offer a promise of even-handed justice that has heretofore been unavailable. Used properly, the Federal Rules of Evidence hold out a promise that trials might be less costly to litigants in terms of out-of-pocket expenditures, that the societal costs associated with erroneous decisions by trial judges might be reduced, and that federal litigants' …


Confidential Communications In The Correctional Halfway House Setting, Richard Kenney Jan 1978

Confidential Communications In The Correctional Halfway House Setting, Richard Kenney

Cleveland State Law Review

The author proposes that a legal testimonial privilege regarding confidential communications between the staff and residents of community-based correctional programs is necessary to insure the integrity of the therapeutic process and, ultimately, the success of the program itself. This note will examine the role of community-based correctional programs and the law in regard to testimonial privileges and will demonstrate that the extension of the privilege in this setting is legally appropriate.


Confidential Communications In The Correctional Halfway House Setting, Richard Kenney Jan 1978

Confidential Communications In The Correctional Halfway House Setting, Richard Kenney

Cleveland State Law Review

The author proposes that a legal testimonial privilege regarding confidential communications between the staff and residents of community-based correctional programs is necessary to insure the integrity of the therapeutic process and, ultimately, the success of the program itself. This note will examine the role of community-based correctional programs and the law in regard to testimonial privileges and will demonstrate that the extension of the privilege in this setting is legally appropriate.


Shield Laws: The Legislative Response To Journalistic Privilege, Susan L. Dolin Jan 1977

Shield Laws: The Legislative Response To Journalistic Privilege, Susan L. Dolin

Cleveland State Law Review

Despite the increasing importance of the journalist in society, one controversy which has long been of significant concern to reporters has yet to be resolved - the compelled disclosure of journalistic sources in courtroom or grand jury proceedings. Threatened with citation for contempt, the journalist in such situations must often face two equally unacceptable alternatives: divulge a confidential source, or go to jail. To circumvent conflicts of this nature, the journalistic profession has urged the adoption of an evidentiary privilege which would protect reporters from compelled disclosure of confidential sources. This Note will focus on one means of instituting such …


Impeaching A Defendant's Testimony By Proof Of Post-Arrest Silence: Doyle V. Ohio, F. Ronald O'Keefe Jan 1976

Impeaching A Defendant's Testimony By Proof Of Post-Arrest Silence: Doyle V. Ohio, F. Ronald O'Keefe

Cleveland State Law Review

This Note will attempt to outline the genesis of the issue of impeachment by post-arrest silence by first discussing the various inquiries into the probative value of silence which had been undertaken by courts on the federal level before Hale (United States v. Hale, 422 U.S. 171 (1975)) . The focus will then shift to the Hale Court's treatment of this issue. The constitutional aspects of the issue will then be discussed, and the pronouncement of the Doyle Court (Doyle v. Ohio, 96 S. Ct. 2240 (1976)) will be analyzed with an emphasis on the continuity between the Hale and …