Rule 7. Opinions on the Ultimate Issue

Witnesses, including experts, cannot give opinions on the ultimate issue of the case: the guilt or innocence of the defendant or the liability of the parties. These are matters for the judge and the jury to decide. Opinions on the ultimate issue in a case are objectionable.

Example: "I believe that Mr. Smith was negligent in driving too fast in this case."

Objection: "Your Honour, the witness is giving an opinion on the ultimate issue - the negligence of Mr. Smith."

Response: "The witness is commenting that the driver was speeding. This is not the ultimate issue in this case."

Rule 8. Additional Rules of Evidence

Ø Objections during the testimony of a witness must be made only by the direct examining and cross-examining attorney for that witness.

Ø Cross-examination is not limited to the scope of direct questioning.

Ø A shot redirect examination, limited to no more than two questions, will be allowed following cross-examination, if an attorney desires. Questions on redirection are limited to the scope of the cross-examination.

Работа в парах. Ответьте на вопросы. Объясните свою позицию в аудитории.

a) Do the examples help you to understand the rules better?

b) What can you say about the responses? Do you think they are justifiable? Can they help to overrule the objection?

c) What response could you give in each situation?

d) Could you give your own examples to illustrate each case?

3. Работа в мини-группах. Прочитайте и переведите текст. Разыграйте сцены: а) представления вещественных доказательств; б) способов дискредитации свидетеля или его показаний стороной обвинения(стороной защиты); в) установления профессионализма судебного эксперта.

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