Overview
Written for litigators, Practitioner’s Deskbook on Evidence provides a comprehensive analysis of the law of evidence and practice. Author Martin A. Schwartz is Professor Emeritus of Law at Touro Law Center. He was the chairperson of the Practising Law Institute annual program on Section 1983 Litigation for almost forty years and is now the program’s advisory chair, was chair of the Trial Evidence program, and is co-chair of its annual Supreme Court review program. He was managing attorney of the Research and Appeals Bureau of Westchester (NY) Legal Services and argued cases in that capacity before the U.S. Supreme Court. His expertise in both practice and academia enables him to provide the broad perspective and insight that litigators need.
Practitioner’s Deskbook on Evidence focuses on the Federal Rules of Evidence and its interpretive case law that represent the prevailing evidence law in the United States. The text covers all facets of evidence law and practice, including relevance and unfair prejudice, hearsay and its exemptions and exceptions, the Confrontation Clause, direct examination, cross-examination, the various impeachment methods, real and illustrative evidence, and documentary and electronic evidence. The book uniquely combines both the law and practical aspects of evidence law.
Practitioner’s Deskbook on Evidence includes large numbers of illustrations from recent decisions and other well-known cases. Where appropriate, these illustrations include “Lessons from the Trial.” The practical aspects of various areas of evidence law are the subject of ongoing practical commentary.