Subject Index Evidence

An aggravated DUI charge based on trace evidence of methamphetamine did not require the state to show that impairment was the proximate cause of the victims’ deaths

July
2011
Illinois Law Update
, Page 336
An appellate court erred when it reversed the conviction of a man convicted at trial of driving under the influence (DUI) even though there was no evidence of a casual link between impairment caused by a trace amount of methamphetamine and a car accident that killed two people. (See LawPulse in the June IBJ for more about Martin.)

Character on Trial

By Hon. Ron Spears
February
2011
Column
, Page 102
Judge Justice and his colleagues express their misgivings about character evidence.

No evidentiary limitations to statements of a minor in a temporary custody hearing

January
2011
Illinois Law Update
, Page 16
On October 21, 2010, the Supreme Court of Illinois held that the evidentiary limitations of section 2-18(4)(c) of the Juvenile Court Act do not apply to the out-of-court statements of a minor in a temporary custody hearing, where such statements relate to allegations of abuse or neglect.

All Hail the Illinois Rules of Evidence

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
December
2010
Cover Story
, Page 620
On January 1, Illinois finally joins the vast majority of states by codifying its rules of evidence. Here are highlights of the new code.
1 comment (Most recent December 3, 2010)

Non-identical Twins: The Illinois and Federal Rules of Evidence

By Professor Jeffrey A. Parness
December
2010
Column
, Page 642
Important differences between the two limit the persuasive power of federal precedents in Illinois.

At long last, the codified Illinois Rules of Evidence

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2010
LawPulse
, Page 558
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Family law software: not exempt from the rules of evidence

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
August
2010
LawPulse
, Page 394
Make sure you understand how support calculators work before relying on their results, and don't forget to lay a foundation for the report if you seek to enter it into evidence.

Does What Happens on Facebook Stay on Facebook?Discovery, Admissibility, Ethics, and Social Media

By Beth C. Boggs & Misty L. Edwards
July
2010
Article
, Page 366
What are the limits on discovery and admissibility of content gathered on social media sites? This article looks at the emerging case law.

Averett a win for prosecutors

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
June
2010
LawPulse
, Page 286
The Illinois high court rules that it isn't reversible error for a trial court to defer ruling on motions in limine to exclude prior convictions unless defendants testify - and that's bad news for defendants who choose not to testify.

Codifying Illinois’s rules of evidence

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
May
2010
LawPulse
, Page 230
A supreme court committee's proposed organizational scheme, fashioned after the Federal Rules of Evidence, would pull together Illinois' widely scattered evidence rules.

Prior sexual activity or reputation evidence generally not admissible in civil trials. PA 096-0307

May
2010
Illinois Law Update
, Page 236
New amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure clarify that evidence to prove a victim's prior sexual behavior or reputation is generally not admissible in a civil trial. 735 ILCS 5/8-2801.

EEOC complaints: sender’s fax confirmation “strong evidence” of receipt

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
February
2010
LawPulse
, Page 66
The seventh circuit holds that the fax confirmation generated by the sender's machine is strong evidence the EEOC actually received a complaint at a given time and date.

Experts Cannot Testify About the Law - or Can They?

By James W. Springer
February
2010
Article
, Page 98
In theory, experts may not opine about whether a party's actions were legal. Here's how courts have put that principle into practice.

Admissibility of Government Wiretaps after People v Coleman

By David J. Robinson
January
2010
Article
, Page 44
Coleman created an exception to the Illinois eavesdropping statute for joint state and federal investigations. The author criticizes the case and considers its practical implications.

The Discovery Deposition and Disfavored Evidence

By Joanne Hannaway Sweeney & Benjamin J. Wimmer
November
2009
Article
, Page 576
A recent amendment to the Illinois Supreme Court Rules obscures the purpose of the discovery deposition and the range of its uses

Predictions, Probabilities and the Magic 8-Ball

November
2009
Column
, Page 585
Despite the best analysis of the best evidence, predicting human behavior is a risky business.

U.S. Supreme Court: Confrontation Clause requires lab analysts to testify

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
October
2009
LawPulse
, Page 490
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Strict Liability for Sexual Harassment by Supervisors

By Cynthia H. Hyndman, Robert Margolis, & Aleeza Strubel
September
2009
Article
, Page 454
The Illinois Supreme Court's Sangamon County Sheriff's Department decision subjects employers to strict liability for sexual harassment by their supervisors. So, who is a supervisor?

The Admissibility of Other Misconduct in Civil Cases

By Michael J. Polelle
July
2009
Article
, Page 364
As a rule, character evidence is inadmissible in civil cases even if proved circumstantially. Here are two exceptions to the rule.

Evidence of careful habits has no bearing for the element of proximate cause

July
2009
Illinois Law Update
, Page 336
On April 29, 2009, the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, affirmed the judgment of the Circuit Court of Cook County granting summary judgment for the defendants. 

If erroneously admitted evidence does not prejudice the defendant, the error does not require reversal

July
2009
Illinois Law Update
, Page 336
On April 21, 2009, the Illinois Appellate Court, Second District, on defendant's appeal from the Circuit Court of Winnebago County, affirmed the conviction of defendant, who was convicted of the unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

Evidence is insufficient to prove negligence if the conclusion is merely possible

June
2009
Illinois Law Update
, Page 284
On April 1, 2009, the Illinois Appellate Court, Third District, affirmed the judgment of the Circuit Court of Will County which granted summary judgment for the defendants after concluding that no genuine issue of material fact existed to establish negligence on the part of the defendants.

Making evidence meaningful

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
June
2009
LawPulse
, Page 278
A veteran lawyer and trial judge tells litigators how to present evidence in a way that engages and wins over jurors.

Sexual harassment and the chain of command

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
June
2009
LawPulse
, Page 278
Under state law, employers are liable for sexual harassment by supervisors whether or not the employer knew about it and even though the employee-victim doesn't work under the supervisor.

Victory for defendants in asbestos case

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
June
2009
LawPulse
, Page 278
The Illinois Supreme Court allows defendants in asbestos cases to introduce evidence that someone else's negligence was the sole proximate cause of a plaintiff's injuries.

Proving Proximate Cause in Malpractice Cases

By Terrence J. Lavin & Kristina M. Lau
May
2009
Article
, Page 254
Illinois courts are still struggling to determine the plaintiff's proper burden of proving proximate cause in "lost chance" cases.

“Rape Shield” for Civil Lawsuits

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
May
2009
LawPulse
, Page 220
An Illinois House bill would extend the prohibition against admitting evidence of an alleged victim's sexual history to sexual harassment charges.

A Snipe-Hunter’s guide to Coaxing Answers from Hostile Witnesses

By Hon. Ron Spears
May
2009
Column
, Page 260
Preparation and skillful questioning can help you bag your quarry.

Evidence Resources or Illinois Practitioners

By Tom Gaylord
March
2009
Column
, Page 154
A look at some free evidence-related online resources.

Scientific Evidence About Grief in Illinois Wrongful Death Cases

By Timothy J. Reuland & Shirley A. Murphy
March
2009
Article
, Page 146
A 2007 amendment to the Illinois Wrongful Death Act permits recovery for grief. This article discusses the evidence that makes the case for damages.

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