Evidence Law
Evidence Law LAWS 304
EVIDENCE LAW
LAWS304
The Nature of Evidence Law………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………….. 1 Development of the Law of Evidence in Australia………………………………………….………………………………………1
Facts in Issue………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Types of Evidence………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Real Evidence………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1 Confessional Evidence………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………. 1 Direct Evidence………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1 Circumstantial Evidence………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………………….. 1 Admissibility of Evidence………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………………… 1 Prejudicial v Probative………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………. 2 Relevance………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………………………….. 2 Circumstantial Cases………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………………………. 2 Criminal Cases………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………………………………. 2 Civil Cases………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………………………….. 2 Evidence and Procedure………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………………. 2 Judicial Function (Illegally Obtained Evidence)………………………………………..………………………………………..…… 2 Public Policy Discretion………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………. 2 Client Legal Privilege………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………….. 3
Adducing Evidence………………………………………….…………………………………………………….. …………………………… 4
Witnesses (ss 12 – 46)…………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………. 4 Overview…………………………………….……………………………………………………….…………………………………………………. 4 What is a witness?…………………………………….……………………………………………………….…………………………………… 4 Oral Testimony………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………………………………. 4 General Rules about Giving Evidence (ss 26 – 29)………………………………………..………………………………………….. 4 Documentary Evidence (ss 47 – 51)…………………………………….……………………………………………………….…………. 6 Overview…………………………………….……………………………………………………….…………………….……………………………. 6 S 48: How Contents of a Document may be Proved…………………………………….…………………………………………… 6 S 50: Proof of Voluminous or Comples Document………………………………………..………………………………………….. 6 Other Evidence (ss 52 – 54)………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………….. 6 Witness Competence and Compellability…………………………………….…………………………………………………………. 6 Overview…………………………………….……………………………………………………….………………………………………………….. 6 S 13: Competence…………………………………….……………………………………………………….…………….………………………. 7 Procedure for determining competence…………………………………….……………………………………………………….…… 7 S 14: Compellability where there is reduced capacity…………………………………….………………………………………… 8 S 17: Competence and Compellability in Criminal Proceedings -‐ Accussed…………………………………….………… 8 S 18: Compellability of Spuses and Others in Criminal Proceedings…………………………………….……………………. 8 S 20: Comment on Failure to give Evidence………………………………………..……………………………………………………. 9 S 32: Attempts to Revive Memory in Court………………………………………..…………………………………………………….. 9 S 38: Unfavourable Witnesses………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………… 10
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S 43: Prior Inconsistent Statements………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………… 10
Admissibility of Evidence……………………………….……………………………………………………..…………………………… 11
Relevance…………………………………….……………………………………………………….…………….…………………………………. 11 S 55: Relevant Evidence………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………………… 11 S 56: Relevant Evidence to be Admissible………………………………………..………………………………………..……………. 11 S 57: Provisional Relevance………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………………. 11 S 58: Inferences as to Relevance………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………. 11 Hearsay………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………. 11 S 59: The General Rules…………………………………….……………………………………………………….………………………….. 11 Does the Hearsay Rule Apply?…………………………………….……………………………………………………….………………… 12 S 60 – Exception: Evidence Relevant for a Non-‐hearsay Purpose…………………………………….……………………… 12 S 61: Exception to Hearsay Rule Dependant on Competency…………………………………….…………………………… 12 First Hand Hearsay…………………………………….……………………………………………………….………………………………… 12 Difference between First Hand and Second Hand Hearsay…………………………………….……………………………… 12 S 62: Restriction to First Hand Hearsay…………………………………….…………………………………………………………… 13 Exceptions in Civil Proceedings…………………………………….……………………………………………………….………………. 13 Exceptions in Criminal Proceedings…………………………………….……………………………………………………….………… 13 Other Exceptions…………………………………….……………………………………………………….……………………………………. 14 S 67: Notice to be given…………………………………….……………………………………………………….………………………….. 14 Credibility……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………… 14 Overview………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14 S 101A: Credibility Evidence…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 15 Division 2: Credibility of Witnesses (ss 102 – 108)…………………………………………………………………………………. 15 Scope of the Credibility Rules………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………. 15 Exceptions………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………..………………. 15 Prior Consistent Statements…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 17 Division 3: Credibility of Persons who are not Witnesses (ss 108A – 108B)……………………………………………. 17 Admissions…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 18 Exceptions for Admissions and Related Representations………………………………………………………………………. 18 S 67: Notice to be given………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 19 S 86 – Criminal Proceedings: The Exclusion of Oral Questioning……………………………………………………………. 20 S 87 – All Proceedings: Admissions made with Authority……………………………………………………………………… 20 S 88: Proof of Admissions……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20 S 84 – Criminal Proceedings: Evidence of Silence…………………………………………………………………………………… 20 S 90 – Criminal Proceedings: Discretion to Exclude Admissions………………………………………..…………………… 21 Prior Convictions………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 21 S 91: Exclusion of Evidence of Judgements and Convictions………………………………………..………………………… 21 S 92: Excepions to Exclusion of Evidence of Judgements and Convictions……………………………………………… 21 S 93: Savings………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………………………………… 21 Corroborations………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………………….. 22 Opinion Evidence……………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………… 23 Overview………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………….. 23 The Opinion Rule……………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………… 23 Exceptions to the Opinion Rule……………………………………………………………………………………………..……………. 23 S 78: Lay Opinions………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23
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S 79: Opinions based on Specialised Knowledge (Expert Evidence)………………………………………………………. 24 Tendency and Coincidence Evidence………………………………………………….…………………………………………… 25 Tendency and Coincidence Evidence (ss 94 – 101)……………………………………………………………………………….. 25 Examples of Tendency and Coincidence Reasoning……………………………………………………………………………….. 25 S 90 – Use of Evidence for Other Purposes: Limits…………………………………………………………………………………. 25 S 96: Failure to Act………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………………………….. 25 SS 97 & 98 – Civil and Criminal Proceedings: The Tendency Rule and Coincidence Rules……………………….. 25 Tendency and Coincidence Rules…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 26 The Tendency and Coincidence Rule (ss 97 & 98)…………………………………………………………………………………. 26 Tendency and Coincidence in Civil Proceedings……………………………………………………………………………………. 27 Relevance…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27 Significant Probative Value………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………….. 27 Application in Sexual Offence Cases………………………………………..………………………………………..………………….. 27 S 99: Requirements for Notices………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………. 28 S 100: Court may dispense with Notice Requirements………………………………………..………………………………… 28 S 101: Further Restrictions on Tendency Evidence and Coincidence Evidence Adduced by Prosecution.. 28
Circumstantial Evidence……………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………… 29 Circumstantial Evidence………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 29 Use of Circumstantial Evidence……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 29 Judicial Direction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….. 29 Directing the Jury………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 30 Duties of Counsel…………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………… 31 Counsel…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………… 31 Advocate’s Immunity…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 31 Counsel as Adversaries………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………. 31 Duties for all Counsel……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 31 Not to Mislead the Court………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 31 To Assist the Court………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 32 Not to Abuse Privileges………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………………… 32 To be Courteous………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………..……… 32 To Avoid a Conflict of Interest………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………… 32 Prosecutor’s Duties………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 32 To disclose Relevant Evidence………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 32 To call Relevant and Credible Witnesses……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 32 To Conduct the Case Fairly………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………… 32 Counsel for the Accused……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 33
Judicial Warnings and Discretion…………………………………………………………….………………………………………. 34 Jury Directions……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 34 Unreliable Evidence……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 34 Unfair Prejudice……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 34
71 S 138: Exclusion of Improperly or Illegally Obtained Evidence……………………………………………………………. 34 General Discretions……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 35 Circumstantial Evidence and Probative Value…………………………………………………………………………………….. 35
4
ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE LAW
Relevance S 55: Relevant evidence • S 55: • (1) The evidence that is relevant in a proceeding is evidence that, if it were accepted, could rationally affect (directly or indirectly) the assessment of the probability of the existence of a fact in issue in the proceeding. • (2) In particular, evidence is not taken to be irrelevant only because it relates only to— (a) the credibility of a witness; or (b) the admissibility of other evidence; or (c) a failure to adduce evidence. • Semaan v R (2013) VSCA 134 at 32. In a culpable driving case the prior driving of the accused is only relevant if there is a sufficient link between the driving and the current charges. • Gilham v The Queen [2012] NSWCCA 131 at [430] – [431]: Evidence of the defendant’s opinion as to whether a kid with problems needs their mother and father was held to be irrelevant. S 56: Relevant evidence to be admissible • S 56: • (1) Except as otherwise provided by this Act, evidence that is relevant in a proceeding is admissible in the proceeding. • (2) Evidence that is not relevant in the proceeding is not admissible. • Primary rule of admissibility: evidence that is relevant is admissible; if it is not relevant it is inadmissible. • Jones Lang LaSalle (NSW) Pty Ltd v Taouk [2012] NSWCA 342 at [30]: La Salle wanted to admit several documents constituting agreements between a property management and security company. The party did not explain how the agreement was relevant to the question at issue. Held, It needs to be made clear the purpose for which the evidence is tendered for the evidence to be relevant and admissible. S 57: Provisional Relevance • S 57: (1) If the determination of the question whether evidence adduced by a party is relevant depends on the court making another finding (including a finding that the evidence is what the party claims it to be), the court may find that the evidence is relevant— • (a) if it is reasonably open to make that finding; or • (b) subject to further evidence being admitted at a later stage of the proceeding that will make it reasonably open to make that finding. • Example: Where survey evidence is tendered, it is not relevant without evidence that it was a reliable survey. S 58: Inferences as to relevance • S 58(1): If a question arises as to the relevance of a document or thing, the court may examine it and may draw any reasonable inference from it, including an inference as to its authenticity or identity. • Evidence subject would be physical evidence, the relevance would be linking to the alleged crime. • Finding a gun may be provisionally relevant but when it is linked to the crime it becomes relevant.
Hearsay S 59: The General Rule • S 59: • (1) Evidence of a previous representation made by a person is not admissible to prove the existence of a fact that it can reasonably be supposed that the person intended to assert by the representation. • (2) Such a fact is in this Part referred to as an asserted fact. • (2A) For the purposes of determining under subsection (1) whether it can reasonably be supposed that the person intended to assert a particular fact by the representation, the court may have regard to the circumstances in which the representation was made. • Exclusionary and purposive rule. • Only applies to intentional assertions of fact. • The representation-‐maker’s intention, when in issue, is to be determine having regard to the circumstances in which the representation was made. Representation
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• Representation defined in UEA Dictionary includes: an express or implied representation, whether oral or in writing, or a representation inferred from conduct • Lee v The Queen (1998) 195 CLR 594 [21]: Representation ‘was used to apply to statements and to conduct and was used to encompass all that those statements or that conduct would convey to the observer’. • Examples of representations not caught by the rule include: Evidence of oral representations to explain why certain conduct occurred thereafter (R v Georgiou (2005)) and evidence of a representation alleged to be a lie and relevant for the purpose of drawing an inference of consciousness of guilty (Kamleh v The Queen (2005)). Does the hearsay rule apply? • The hearsay rule applies to evidence in relation to which the following questions can all be answered in the affirmative: • is the evidence under consideration evidence of a previous representation? • was the previous representation made by a person? • is evidence of the previous representation being adduced to prove the existence of a fact asserted by the representation? (e.g., a prior statement tendered for credibility purposes would not be excluded by s59.) • can it ‘reasonably be supposed’ that the person who made the representation intended to assert the existence of the fact? (This requirement discourages subjective investigation of the intent of the person who made the representation; and the court may have regard to the circumstances in which the representation was made to determine this.) S 60 – Exception: Evidence relevant for a non-‐hearsay purpose • S 60: • (1) The hearsay rule does not apply to evidence of a previous representation that is admitted because it is relevant for a purpose other than proof of an asserted fact. • (2) This section applies whether or not the person who made the representation had personal knowledge of the asserted fact (within the meaning of section 62(2)). • (3) However, this section does not apply in a criminal proceeding to evidence of an admission. • Example of when s 60 applies: Representations which are admissible because they formed part of conversations which where relevant to prove the making of an agreement for sale (See, R v Macraild (1997)). • Examples of when s 60 apply include, prior inconsistent and consistent statements. S 61: Exception to hearsay rule dependant on competency • S 61: • (1) This Part does not enable use of a previous representation to prove the existence of an asserted fact if, when the representation was made, the person who made it was not competent to give evidence about the fact because of section 13(1). • (2) This sec>on does not apply to a contemporaneous representation made by a person about his or her health, feelings, sensations, intention, knowledge or state of mind. (3) For the purposes of this section, it is presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that when the representation was made the person who made it was competent to give evidence about the asserted fact.
First Hand Hearsay Difference between first hand and second hand hearsay • Example: Bob and Mary are having a conversation. Tom is around the corner and overhears this conversation. He overhears Bob say ‘tomorrow I will kill Sally’. Tom’s later tell his friend Ali what he heard. Ali’s evidence is first hand hearsay. Ali then tells her friend Nicole that Tom told her that Bob said he will kill Sally. Nicole’s evidence is second hand hearsay.
6 Figure 1: From Evidence: Text and Materials by Gregory Durston pg 239
• Example: Tom saw Jack push Jill down the hill. Tom’s evidence is not hearsay. However, Tom told Sam that he saw Jack push Jill. Sam’s evidence is first-‐hand hearsay. Sam later tells James that Tom told him that Jack pushed Jill. James’ evidence is second hand hearsay. • If it is evidence if what someone else perceived it is hearsay.
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EVIDENCE LAW
LAWS304
The Nature of Evidence Law………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………….. 1 Development of the Law of Evidence in Australia………………………………………….………………………………………1
Facts in Issue………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Types of Evidence………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Real Evidence………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1 Confessional Evidence………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………. 1 Direct Evidence………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1 Circumstantial Evidence………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………………….. 1 Admissibility of Evidence………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………………… 1 Prejudicial v Probative………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………. 2 Relevance………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………………………….. 2 Circumstantial Cases………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………………………. 2 Criminal Cases………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………………………………. 2 Civil Cases………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………………………….. 2 Evidence and Procedure………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………………. 2 Judicial Function (Illegally Obtained Evidence)………………………………………..………………………………………..…… 2 Public Policy Discretion………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………. 2 Client Legal Privilege………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………….. 3
Adducing Evidence………………………………………….…………………………………………………….. …………………………… 4
Witnesses (ss 12 – 46)…………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………. 4 Overview…………………………………….……………………………………………………….…………………………………………………. 4 What is a witness?…………………………………….……………………………………………………….…………………………………… 4 Oral Testimony………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………………………………. 4 General Rules about Giving Evidence (ss 26 – 29)………………………………………..………………………………………….. 4 Documentary Evidence (ss 47 – 51)…………………………………….……………………………………………………….…………. 6 Overview…………………………………….……………………………………………………….…………………….……………………………. 6 S 48: How Contents of a Document may be Proved…………………………………….…………………………………………… 6 S 50: Proof of Voluminous or Comples Document………………………………………..………………………………………….. 6 Other Evidence (ss 52 – 54)………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………….. 6 Witness Competence and Compellability…………………………………….…………………………………………………………. 6 Overview…………………………………….……………………………………………………….………………………………………………….. 6 S 13: Competence…………………………………….……………………………………………………….…………….………………………. 7 Procedure for determining competence…………………………………….……………………………………………………….…… 7 S 14: Compellability where there is reduced capacity…………………………………….………………………………………… 8 S 17: Competence and Compellability in Criminal Proceedings -‐ Accussed…………………………………….………… 8 S 18: Compellability of Spuses and Others in Criminal Proceedings…………………………………….……………………. 8 S 20: Comment on Failure to give Evidence………………………………………..……………………………………………………. 9 S 32: Attempts to Revive Memory in Court………………………………………..…………………………………………………….. 9 S 38: Unfavourable Witnesses………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………… 10
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S 43: Prior Inconsistent Statements………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………… 10
Admissibility of Evidence……………………………….……………………………………………………..…………………………… 11
Relevance…………………………………….……………………………………………………….…………….…………………………………. 11 S 55: Relevant Evidence………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………………… 11 S 56: Relevant Evidence to be Admissible………………………………………..………………………………………..……………. 11 S 57: Provisional Relevance………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………………. 11 S 58: Inferences as to Relevance………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………. 11 Hearsay………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………. 11 S 59: The General Rules…………………………………….……………………………………………………….………………………….. 11 Does the Hearsay Rule Apply?…………………………………….……………………………………………………….………………… 12 S 60 – Exception: Evidence Relevant for a Non-‐hearsay Purpose…………………………………….……………………… 12 S 61: Exception to Hearsay Rule Dependant on Competency…………………………………….…………………………… 12 First Hand Hearsay…………………………………….……………………………………………………….………………………………… 12 Difference between First Hand and Second Hand Hearsay…………………………………….……………………………… 12 S 62: Restriction to First Hand Hearsay…………………………………….…………………………………………………………… 13 Exceptions in Civil Proceedings…………………………………….……………………………………………………….………………. 13 Exceptions in Criminal Proceedings…………………………………….……………………………………………………….………… 13 Other Exceptions…………………………………….……………………………………………………….……………………………………. 14 S 67: Notice to be given…………………………………….……………………………………………………….………………………….. 14 Credibility……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………… 14 Overview………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14 S 101A: Credibility Evidence…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 15 Division 2: Credibility of Witnesses (ss 102 – 108)…………………………………………………………………………………. 15 Scope of the Credibility Rules………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………. 15 Exceptions………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………..………………. 15 Prior Consistent Statements…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 17 Division 3: Credibility of Persons who are not Witnesses (ss 108A – 108B)……………………………………………. 17 Admissions…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 18 Exceptions for Admissions and Related Representations………………………………………………………………………. 18 S 67: Notice to be given………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 19 S 86 – Criminal Proceedings: The Exclusion of Oral Questioning……………………………………………………………. 20 S 87 – All Proceedings: Admissions made with Authority……………………………………………………………………… 20 S 88: Proof of Admissions……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20 S 84 – Criminal Proceedings: Evidence of Silence…………………………………………………………………………………… 20 S 90 – Criminal Proceedings: Discretion to Exclude Admissions………………………………………..…………………… 21 Prior Convictions………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 21 S 91: Exclusion of Evidence of Judgements and Convictions………………………………………..………………………… 21 S 92: Excepions to Exclusion of Evidence of Judgements and Convictions……………………………………………… 21 S 93: Savings………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………………………………… 21 Corroborations………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………………….. 22 Opinion Evidence……………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………… 23 Overview………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………….. 23 The Opinion Rule……………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………… 23 Exceptions to the Opinion Rule……………………………………………………………………………………………..……………. 23 S 78: Lay Opinions………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23
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S 79: Opinions based on Specialised Knowledge (Expert Evidence)………………………………………………………. 24 Tendency and Coincidence Evidence………………………………………………….…………………………………………… 25 Tendency and Coincidence Evidence (ss 94 – 101)……………………………………………………………………………….. 25 Examples of Tendency and Coincidence Reasoning……………………………………………………………………………….. 25 S 90 – Use of Evidence for Other Purposes: Limits…………………………………………………………………………………. 25 S 96: Failure to Act………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………………………….. 25 SS 97 & 98 – Civil and Criminal Proceedings: The Tendency Rule and Coincidence Rules……………………….. 25 Tendency and Coincidence Rules…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 26 The Tendency and Coincidence Rule (ss 97 & 98)…………………………………………………………………………………. 26 Tendency and Coincidence in Civil Proceedings……………………………………………………………………………………. 27 Relevance…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27 Significant Probative Value………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………….. 27 Application in Sexual Offence Cases………………………………………..………………………………………..………………….. 27 S 99: Requirements for Notices………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………. 28 S 100: Court may dispense with Notice Requirements………………………………………..………………………………… 28 S 101: Further Restrictions on Tendency Evidence and Coincidence Evidence Adduced by Prosecution.. 28
Circumstantial Evidence……………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………… 29 Circumstantial Evidence………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 29 Use of Circumstantial Evidence……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 29 Judicial Direction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….. 29 Directing the Jury………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 30 Duties of Counsel…………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………… 31 Counsel…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………… 31 Advocate’s Immunity…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 31 Counsel as Adversaries………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………. 31 Duties for all Counsel……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 31 Not to Mislead the Court………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 31 To Assist the Court………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 32 Not to Abuse Privileges………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………………… 32 To be Courteous………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………………..……… 32 To Avoid a Conflict of Interest………………………………………..………………………………………..…………………………… 32 Prosecutor’s Duties………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 32 To disclose Relevant Evidence………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 32 To call Relevant and Credible Witnesses……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 32 To Conduct the Case Fairly………………………………………..………………………………………..………………………………… 32 Counsel for the Accused……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 33
Judicial Warnings and Discretion…………………………………………………………….………………………………………. 34 Jury Directions……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 34 Unreliable Evidence……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 34 Unfair Prejudice……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 34
71 S 138: Exclusion of Improperly or Illegally Obtained Evidence……………………………………………………………. 34 General Discretions……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 35 Circumstantial Evidence and Probative Value…………………………………………………………………………………….. 35
4
ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE LAW
Relevance S 55: Relevant evidence • S 55: • (1) The evidence that is relevant in a proceeding is evidence that, if it were accepted, could rationally affect (directly or indirectly) the assessment of the probability of the existence of a fact in issue in the proceeding. • (2) In particular, evidence is not taken to be irrelevant only because it relates only to— (a) the credibility of a witness; or (b) the admissibility of other evidence; or (c) a failure to adduce evidence. • Semaan v R (2013) VSCA 134 at 32. In a culpable driving case the prior driving of the accused is only relevant if there is a sufficient link between the driving and the current charges. • Gilham v The Queen [2012] NSWCCA 131 at [430] – [431]: Evidence of the defendant’s opinion as to whether a kid with problems needs their mother and father was held to be irrelevant. S 56: Relevant evidence to be admissible • S 56: • (1) Except as otherwise provided by this Act, evidence that is relevant in a proceeding is admissible in the proceeding. • (2) Evidence that is not relevant in the proceeding is not admissible. • Primary rule of admissibility: evidence that is relevant is admissible; if it is not relevant it is inadmissible. • Jones Lang LaSalle (NSW) Pty Ltd v Taouk [2012] NSWCA 342 at [30]: La Salle wanted to admit several documents constituting agreements between a property management and security company. The party did not explain how the agreement was relevant to the question at issue. Held, It needs to be made clear the purpose for which the evidence is tendered for the evidence to be relevant and admissible. S 57: Provisional Relevance • S 57: (1) If the determination of the question whether evidence adduced by a party is relevant depends on the court making another finding (including a finding that the evidence is what the party claims it to be), the court may find that the evidence is relevant— • (a) if it is reasonably open to make that finding; or • (b) subject to further evidence being admitted at a later stage of the proceeding that will make it reasonably open to make that finding. • Example: Where survey evidence is tendered, it is not relevant without evidence that it was a reliable survey. S 58: Inferences as to relevance • S 58(1): If a question arises as to the relevance of a document or thing, the court may examine it and may draw any reasonable inference from it, including an inference as to its authenticity or identity. • Evidence subject would be physical evidence, the relevance would be linking to the alleged crime. • Finding a gun may be provisionally relevant but when it is linked to the crime it becomes relevant.
Hearsay S 59: The General Rule • S 59: • (1) Evidence of a previous representation made by a person is not admissible to prove the existence of a fact that it can reasonably be supposed that the person intended to assert by the representation. • (2) Such a fact is in this Part referred to as an asserted fact. • (2A) For the purposes of determining under subsection (1) whether it can reasonably be supposed that the person intended to assert a particular fact by the representation, the court may have regard to the circumstances in which the representation was made. • Exclusionary and purposive rule. • Only applies to intentional assertions of fact. • The representation-‐maker’s intention, when in issue, is to be determine having regard to the circumstances in which the representation was made. Representation
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• Representation defined in UEA Dictionary includes: an express or implied representation, whether oral or in writing, or a representation inferred from conduct • Lee v The Queen (1998) 195 CLR 594 [21]: Representation ‘was used to apply to statements and to conduct and was used to encompass all that those statements or that conduct would convey to the observer’. • Examples of representations not caught by the rule include: Evidence of oral representations to explain why certain conduct occurred thereafter (R v Georgiou (2005)) and evidence of a representation alleged to be a lie and relevant for the purpose of drawing an inference of consciousness of guilty (Kamleh v The Queen (2005)). Does the hearsay rule apply? • The hearsay rule applies to evidence in relation to which the following questions can all be answered in the affirmative: • is the evidence under consideration evidence of a previous representation? • was the previous representation made by a person? • is evidence of the previous representation being adduced to prove the existence of a fact asserted by the representation? (e.g., a prior statement tendered for credibility purposes would not be excluded by s59.) • can it ‘reasonably be supposed’ that the person who made the representation intended to assert the existence of the fact? (This requirement discourages subjective investigation of the intent of the person who made the representation; and the court may have regard to the circumstances in which the representation was made to determine this.) S 60 – Exception: Evidence relevant for a non-‐hearsay purpose • S 60: • (1) The hearsay rule does not apply to evidence of a previous representation that is admitted because it is relevant for a purpose other than proof of an asserted fact. • (2) This section applies whether or not the person who made the representation had personal knowledge of the asserted fact (within the meaning of section 62(2)). • (3) However, this section does not apply in a criminal proceeding to evidence of an admission. • Example of when s 60 applies: Representations which are admissible because they formed part of conversations which where relevant to prove the making of an agreement for sale (See, R v Macraild (1997)). • Examples of when s 60 apply include, prior inconsistent and consistent statements. S 61: Exception to hearsay rule dependant on competency • S 61: • (1) This Part does not enable use of a previous representation to prove the existence of an asserted fact if, when the representation was made, the person who made it was not competent to give evidence about the fact because of section 13(1). • (2) This sec>on does not apply to a contemporaneous representation made by a person about his or her health, feelings, sensations, intention, knowledge or state of mind. (3) For the purposes of this section, it is presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that when the representation was made the person who made it was competent to give evidence about the asserted fact.
First Hand Hearsay Difference between first hand and second hand hearsay • Example: Bob and Mary are having a conversation. Tom is around the corner and overhears this conversation. He overhears Bob say ‘tomorrow I will kill Sally’. Tom’s later tell his friend Ali what he heard. Ali’s evidence is first hand hearsay. Ali then tells her friend Nicole that Tom told her that Bob said he will kill Sally. Nicole’s evidence is second hand hearsay.
6 Figure 1: From Evidence: Text and Materials by Gregory Durston pg 239
• Example: Tom saw Jack push Jill down the hill. Tom’s evidence is not hearsay. However, Tom told Sam that he saw Jack push Jill. Sam’s evidence is first-‐hand hearsay. Sam later tells James that Tom told him that Jack pushed Jill. James’ evidence is second hand hearsay. • If it is evidence if what someone else perceived it is hearsay.
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