Evidence: A Contemporary Approach (3rd Edition)

Description

As a part of our CasebookPlus offering, you’ll receive the print book along with lifetime digital access to the eBook. Additionally you’ll receive 12-month online access to the Learning Library which includes quizzes tied specifically to your book, an outline starter and digital access to leading study aids in that subject and the Gilbert® Law Dictionary. The included study aids are Federal Rules of Evidence in a Nutshell, Acing Evidence and Exam Pro on Evidence, Objective. The redemption code will be shipped to you with the book.

The third edition of this book presents the Federal Rules of Evidence, as amended through December of 2015, in a clear and concise manner that is accessible and engaging to both professors and students. Each chapter begins with an explanation and rationale for the chapter’s topic. The applicable rule or rules of evidence are also replicated at the beginning of the relevant sections, eliminating the requirement that students purchase a separate book of rules. The chapters continue to feature fresh visual presentations and layouts by use of text boxes, diagrams, and color-border segregated features. The book’s most distinguishing feature, however, is still the accompanying electronic version with extensive hyperlinking to Westlaw versions of legal materials, Black’s Law Dictionary definitions, and a large number of supplementary online resources. The third edition also utilizes more and improved logic maps to assist students in their evidentiary analysis.

In response to user comments, the authors have reorganized the third edition so that the first three chapters set the stage for students unfamiliar with the courtroom. These chapters now present a basic outline of trial procedures and include how the rules of evidence apply to the presentation of witnesses and physical evidence. Although the authors are long time law professors, they also have extensive litigation backgrounds and know that students learn evidentiary concepts much more readily if they can see and hear them applied in a more practical fashion. For this reason, the authors have included numerous dialogues in question/answer format demonstrating how testimony, objections, and exhibits are presented in a courtroom setting. Finally, this edition provides detailed Executive Summaries in a new outline format at the end of each chapter for study and organized review. Students can use these outlines to make certain they have not missed the main points of a chapter, as well as a foundational structure upon which to build on their own outlines.

Author Biographies

Fred Galves is a professor of law with extensive experience in legal education and litigation. Affiliated with Lincoln-Sacramento, he has taught evidence and other legal subjects, emphasizing practical and accessible approaches to complex legal concepts. Galves is known for his contributions to the Interactive Casebook Series, blending academic rigor with real-world application. His work often focuses on enhancing student understanding through innovative teaching methods, such as visual aids and interactive resources.

Sydney Beckman is a professor at Lincoln Memorial University School of Law, specializing in evidence, civil procedure, and trial advocacy. With a background in litigation, Beckman brings practical insights to her scholarship and teaching. Her contributions to Evidence: A Contemporary Approach reflect her commitment to making legal education engaging and student-friendly, utilizing modern pedagogical tools like visual displays and electronic resources to enhance learning.

Susan Crump is a professor at South Texas College of Law Houston, with expertise in evidence, criminal law, and professional responsibility. Her extensive litigation experience informs her teaching and writing, making her a key contributor to the Interactive Casebook Series. Crump’s work emphasizes clarity and practical application, helping students navigate the intricacies of evidence law through structured explanations and real-world courtroom scenarios.