The psychological foundations of evidence law / Michael J. Saks and Barbara A. Spellman.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: the crossroads of psychology and evidence law -- Minding the jury -- Judges versus juries: trying the facts -- Balancing acts -- Instructions to disregard and to limit use -- Judging the witness -- Witness the witness -- Character evidence: propensity and impeachment -- Other types of evidence -- Hearsay and exceptions -- Scientific and other expert evidence -- Conclusion: the lessons of psychology for evidence law -- Appendix A: Table of concepts -- Appendix B: Federal Rules of Evidence (abridged) -- Notes.

Print version record.

Evidence law is meant to facilitate trials that are fair, accurate and efficient, and that encourage and protect important societal values and relationships. In pursuit of these often-conflicting goals, common law judges and modern drafting committees are often required to perform as amateur applied psychologists. This text draws on current psychological research-based knowledge in order to identify and evaluate the choices implicit in the rules of evidence.

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