The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

When are character and hearsay evidence admissible? In the course of arguing mock motions in limine, attorneys on opposite sides of a sexual harassment case debate the admissibility of testimony. Judge Paul W. Grimm offers his opinions, and also provides thorough reviews of both character and hearsay evidence.

Character and Hearsay Evidence: Application of the Federal Rules
    I. Case Overview
    II. Plaintiff’s Motion in Limine on Character Evidence
        A. Plaintiff’s Argument
        B. Defendant’s Response
            1. First Witness
            2. Additional Witnesses
            3. Affirmative Good Faith Defense
            4. Motive or Intent
        C. Procedural Framework
        D. Character Evidence Review
            1. General Rule on Propensity
            2. Eight Exceptions
        E. Judge’s Ruling
            1. Background Information
            2. Reasonable Investigation
            3. No Intent
            4. Fourth Circuit Case Law on Rule 404(b)
    III. Defendant’s Motion in Limine on Hearsay
        A. Defendant’s Argument
            1. Request to Exclude Witnesses
            2. Justification for Exclusion
        B. Plaintiff’s Response
            1. Rule 803(2) Exception
            2. Rule 803(3) Exception
        B. Hearsay Evidence Review
            1. The Hearsay Rule
            2. Understanding Hearsay
            3. Non-Hearsay Examples
            4. More Non-Hearsay Examples
            5. Inconsistent Prior Statements
            6. Consistent Prior Statements
            7. Hearsay Exceptions
        D. Judge’s Ruling
        E. Then-Existing State of Mind
        F. Application of Rule 803(3)
        G. Final Comments
    IV. Questions and Answers
    AfterWords^SM