Evidence and Legal Procedure

1. Legal Procedures for Evidence
   1. Gathering Evidence
      1. Search and Seizure Laws
         1. Understanding constitutional protections
            1. Fourth Amendment (U.S.) principles
            2. Protection against unreasonable searches
         2. Exceptions to warrant requirements
            1. Consent searches
            2. Emergency situations
            3. Stop and frisk (Terry stops)
         3. Requirements for lawful search warrants
            1. Affidavit support
            2. Particularity in describing the place to be searched
      2. Subpoenas and Warrants
         1. Types of subpoenas
            1. Subpoena duces tecum (for documents)
            2. Subpoena ad testificandum (for testimony)
         2. Process for obtaining warrants
            1. Judicial approval
            2. Probable cause requirement
         3. Compliance and challenging subpoenas
            1. Grounds for quashing or modifying subpoenas
   2. Preservation of Evidence
      1. Maintaining Integrity through Chain of Custody
         1. Importance of detailed records
            1. Documenting each transfer of evidence
            2. Identifying individuals handling the evidence
         2. Storing evidence securely
            1. Proper storage techniques
            2. Avoiding contamination
      2. Avoiding Evidence Spoliation
         1. Definition and consequences
            1. Legal ramifications of destroying evidence
            2. Sanctions and adverse inference
         2. Best practices for evidence preservation
            1. Instituting a litigation hold
            2. Regular audits of evidence management systems
   3. Pre-Trial Procedures
      1. Discovery Process
         1. Types of discoverable material
            1. Interrogatories, requests for production, admissions
         2. Limitations on discovery
            1. Privilege claims
            2. Protective orders
         3. Electronic discovery (e-discovery)
            1. Handling digital evidence
            2. Addressing issues with large data volumes
      2. Deposition
         1. Purpose and strategic value
            1. Gathering witness testimony pre-trial
            2. Cross-examination opportunities
         2. Procedures and rules
            1. Notice and scheduling
            2. Conduct and objections
      3. Motion to Suppress Evidence
         1. Grounds for suppression
            1. Unlawful search and seizure
            2. Violations of defendant’s rights
         2. Process of filing and arguing a motion
            1. Pre-trial hearings
            2. Burden of proof on the moving party
   4. Presentation of Evidence
      1. Opening Statements
         1. Purpose and goals
            1. Roadmap for the jury
            2. Setting the narrative tone
         2. Limitations
            1. Non-argumentative presentation
            2. Relevance to evidence and case issues
      2. Direct Examination
         1. Techniques for eliciting clear testimony
            1. Open-ended questions
            2. Reinforcing important facts
         2. Handling objections
            1. Common objections (leading, hearsay, relevance)
            2. Strategies for overcoming objections
      3. Cross-Examination
         1. Objectives of cross-examination
            1. Challenging credibility
            2. Exposing contradictions
         2. Crafting effective cross-questions
            1. Closed-ended questions
            2. Use of prior statements for impeachment
      4. Closing Arguments
         1. Structure and elements
            1. Emphasizing evidence supporting the case
            2. Addressing weaknesses and refuting opposition
         2. Ethical limitations
            1. Avoiding appeals to emotion
            2. Sticking to presented evidence and reasonable inferences