Texas Trial Procedure and Evidence addresses the common issues that arise throughout the various phases of trial, starting with final pretrial hearings, progressing through jury selection, opening statements, direct examinations, cross examinations, the court charge conference, closing arguments, deliberations, verdict, post-trial motions, judgment and post-judgment motions in the trial court. The special rules governing bench trials, expedited trials and justice court trials are covered.
Texas Rules of Evidence Manual provides an updated comprehensive reference to Texas evidence for both civil and criminal cases. The book provides a rule-by-rule analysis of each Rule of Evidence. This sturdy hard-cover text is designed for heavy use in the courtroom. This text helps those who are bound to use the Texas Rules of Evidence, whether it is the bench or the bar or those studying evidence. While the text contains some academic discussions, the book is designed to explain what a particular Rule requires or prohibits, to indicate what the appellate courts have said about the Rules, and to offer some practical pointers on using the Rules. The book itself has been designed to make it as useful as possible to the harried judge, counsel, and student who must quickly find the "law." Following each Rule is an editorial commentary on the Rule explaining how the Rule works, what the Texas courts have said about the Rule, and how it compares with the Federal Rule, because Texas courts often review federal precedent where they find it helpful in applying a Texas Rule. When appropriate, practical pointers are also provided on how to use the Rule. Where the Rules apply in the same fashion for both civil and criminal cases, those points are discussed together. On the other hand, where they diverge, the authors have used separate headings for "Civil" and "Criminal" when that seems appropriate. One of the objectives of the Editorial Analysis in this text is to deal with the interrelationships of the various Rules. The authors have noted those areas where the Rules differ from pre-Rules case law or statutory provisions. Some of the Rules changed the prior Texas evidence law and, althoughmany of the Texas Rules agree with the Federal Rules, a number differ significantly.
Small enough to carry to the courtroom or classroom, this handy 4-by-6 inch guide: Lists objections alphabetically, with thumb tabs for quick reference; Follows each objection with accurate responses; Cross-references the relevant Texas rules; Offers practice tips crucial to understanding each objection; Reproduces the entire Texas Rules of Civil Evidence
This work is written for lawyers and district judges who try cases in Texas courts. It is a trial book, designed to ease the task of dealing with evidence issues under the time constraints and pressures that trials, especially jury trials, place on all participants. The authors emphasize the proper techniques for presenting and objecting to evidence at trial. Common evidence issues are arranged by the order of the Texas Rules of Evidence. Lawyers in both civil and criminal trials should be able to turn quickly to the correct section of this book dealing with any evidence issue that arises during trial. They will find guidance as to who bears the burden of proof on the issue, what the judge’s role is, and what type of finding for the record they might request. Judges will find similar guidance and will also find proposed findings that can help them make a solid record, and limiting instructions that can enable them quickly and accurately to instruct a jury in most cases This book focuses on the mechanics of how lawyers and judges must deal with evidence issues as they arise at trial and is a highly practical work that is intended to be on counsel tables and judges’ benches during trials. • Governing Rules The discussion of each evidence issue begins with a section on “Governing Rules.” This section gathers the rules that interrelate in one place and highlights the portions of the rules that are most likely to be important. • Key Points The second section is entitled “Key Points.” This section identifies important aspects of the governing rules, offers strategic suggestions on how lawyers may best use the governing rules, and suggests points judges may want to emphasize. • Sample Objections The third section includes sample objections and guidance on making objections at trial. • Rulings on the Record, Offers of Proof, and Limiting Instructions The fourth section suggests language that judges may use in making rulings and instructing juries and also recommends that lawyers consider requesting certain rulings on the record. It also suggests how offers of proof might be made and limiting instructions for all of the issues discussed. • Rules of Evidence The Appendices include the full text of the Texas Rules of Evidence and several important provisions from the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure that are cited in the text.
Small enough to carry to the courtroom or classroom, this handy 4-by-6 inch guide: Lists objections alphabetically, with thumb tabs for quick reference; Follows each objection with accurate responses; Cross-references the relevant Texas rules; Offers practice tips crucial to understanding each objection; Reproduces the entire Texas Rules of Civil Evidence
As of March 1, 1988, Texas judges & counsel are bound to use the amended Texas Rules of Evidence. What had formerly been free-standing Rules of Civil Evidence & Rules of Criminal Evidence are now combined in one set of rules. That change has resulted in some renumbering & reorganization of the rules for both civil & criminal cases. The Fifth Edition of the Texas Rules of Evidence Manual -which has provided invaluable assistance for the Texas bench & bar since 1983 -addresses those changes. In addition, the commentary addresses other caselaw developments which impact on Texas practice. Finally, this new edition has been reformatted to provide more commentary & information in less space, to make it easier to carry & use in Texas courtrooms. Topics covered in the new edition include: . Rejection of the "control group" test for determining whether communications by an employee are protected under the attorney-client privilege. . Clarification of whether a victim-spouse may claim the husband-wife privileges. . Changes in rule 606(b) governing the ability of jurors to testify about their deliberations. . Discussion of new Rule 1009 addressing the admissibility of translated documents. . The foundation or predicate for sound recordings in criminal cases. . The ability of counsel to present expert testimony on child-abuse syndrome. . What test should be applied for deciding whether to admit scientific evidence which is not "novel."
The “fascinating” true story behind the HBO Max and Hulu series about Texas housewife Candy Montgomery and the bizarre murder that shocked a community (Los Angeles Times Book Review). Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore had a lot in common: They sang together in the Methodist church choir, their daughters were best friends, and their husbands had good jobs working for technology companies in the north Dallas suburbs known as Silicon Prairie. But beneath the placid surface of their seemingly perfect lives, both women simmered with unspoken frustrations and unanswered desires. On a hot summer day in 1980, the secret passions and jealousies that linked Candy and Betty exploded into murderous rage. What happened next is usually the stuff of fiction. But the bizarre and terrible act of violence that occurred in Betty’s utility room that morning was all too real. Based on exclusive interviews with the Gore and Montgomery families, Edgar Award finalist Evidence of Love is the “superbly written” account of a gruesome tragedy and the trial that made national headlines when the defendant entered the most unexpected of pleas: not guilty by reason of self-defense (Fort Worth Star-Telegram). Adapted into the Emmy and Golden Globe Award–winning television movie A Killing in a Small Town—as well as the new limited series Candy on Hulu and Love and Death on HBO Max—this chilling tale of sin and savagery will “fascinate true crime aficionados” (Kirkus Reviews).
