Evidence Under the Rules: Text, Cases and Problems [Hardcover]

Christopher B. Mueller (Author), Laird C. Kirkpatrick (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0735568332 | ISBN-13: 978-0735568334 | Publication Date: February 28, 2008 | Edition: 6

Evidence Under the Rules, Sixth Edition, frames engaging problems and seminal cases in an eminently clear organization that adapts to a variety of teaching approaches.

Smart and unassuming, Evidence Under the Rules continues to feature:

a respected and well-known author team Mueller and Kirkpatrick are experts and trusted authors in the field of evidence

a logical and clear organization structured around the Federal Rules of Evidence

effectively balanced pedagogy lucid exposition, problems, and carefully edited cases

numerous and engaging problems that give students practice applying the Federal Rules of Evidence

focused case excerpts that hone in on the relevant evidentiary aspects of the case

a flexible organization that adapts to a variety of teaching approaches

a detailed Teacher s Manual

a new guide to excerpts from the media demonstrating the FRE being applied or misapplied

a companion 2008 Statutory and Case Supplement

The Sixth Edition offers renewed timeliness and excellence, through:
numerous new and highly teachable problems, a new DVD compilation of the best excerpts from movies and television shows illustrating and dramatizing important points of evidence for classroom discussion,
new material on post-Crawford developments regarding the right of confrontation, coverage of the 2006 amendments to the FRE 404, 408, 606, and 609, revised treatment of scientific evidence, recent and significant case law.

For a well-constructed problem-based casebook that won t throw a veil over the Federal Rules of Evidence, examine the Sixth Edition of Evidence Under The Rules. You ll discover that it supports your teaching.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 976 pages
• Publisher: Aspen Publishers, Inc.; 6 edition (February 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735568332
• ISBN-13: 978-0735568334
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.3 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #334,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Law > Perspectives on Law > Judicial System
  • #97 in Books > Law > Criminal Law > Evidence

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars really 2 1/2 stars...not the best text I have come across, March 9, 2004

By 

"abones80" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evidence Under the Rules: Text, Cases, and Problems (Casebook) (Hardcover)

Out of all the texts I have read and used in my first two years of law school, this is one I would rank on the lower end.

First of all, I recognize the fact that it is a difficult job trying to put together a comprehensive study of evidence. It contains some of the law's more difficult areas including hearsay and character evidence, both of which could be (and are) multi-volume studies unto themselves. That being said, I encountered more than a few problems with this book having nothing to do with the topic.

The case selections are standard, most were on point as far as I can recall. The real problems came in the case notes and explanatory sections. I found myself having to refer to my hornbook again and again in an effort to find some lucid passages on the topic. Instead of explaining in plain terms how the evidentiary rule works, they rely on the cases. Where there are such explanatory sections, they are often far too short for such complicated topics. However, the book's most glaring fault comes from its treatment of the post-case note sections. For most, these passages are extremely important since they show how the law has evolved in the wake of the preceding case. They also frequently offer guides to help the reader interpret the law as applied and give hints as to which points in the opinion have been the most influential. This book offers little in the way of such help, opting instead to ask open-ended questions. These questions quickly become aggravating and are almost totally useless as a learning tool. I realize that the law is not black and white, but there is such thing as a majority rule or prevailing law. I want to read something that I can hang my hat on; I don't want to read "How ought such a case be resolved?" Such questions are neither thought provoking nor helpful.

I also am not a fan of the entire Mueller/Kirkpatrick series. The books are smaller than most, which I like since law books tend to be a pain to carry around. However, smaller dimensions also mean smaller margins, which are difficult to take notes in. This annoyance outweighed the benefits of its size.

Overall, I think there are better evidence books out there. My professor apparently agreed since she announced at the end of the semester that she will be switching to a different text.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars abones80, June 10, 2005

By 

Niner (DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evidence Under the Rules: Text, Cases, and Problems (Casebook Series) (Hardcover)

I am in complete agreement with the very thoughtful review provided by "abones80." This casebook provides a disproportionate amount of questions rather than answers for those trying to glean some grasp of black letter law. On the subject of hearsay, I recommend A Student's Guide to Hearsay by Clifford S. Fishman.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book, January 30, 2007

By 

D. Brantly "Brantly" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evidence Under the Rules: Text, Cases, and Problems (Casebook Series) (Hardcover)

I have to disagree with the two reviewers below. This was one of my favorite texts as a law student, and I repeatedly refer back to it as a practicing lawyer. The hornbook version is probably the best practice guide out there. I understand the criticism about too many questions, but I've seen many books with far more. The quality and clarity of analysis here is unparalleled. I don't write in the margins, so I guess I don't fully understand that criticism.