Product Description

Recent updates:

• Update: July 2025

  Dear Subscriber:

  Thank you for updating your library with the 2025 edition of Massachusetts Evidence: A Courtroom Reference.

  This latest edition incorporates developments on a wide range of topics in Massachusetts evidence, such as

  • jury instructions accompanying the introduction of prior bad acts evidence;

  • the standards and procedures applicable to mistrials;

  • limitations on the scope of the parent-child privilege;

  • the admissibility of an excited utterance from a declarant who would not have been competent to testify at trial;

  • whether a defendant's refusal to speak with police can be used to establish consciousness of guilt;

  • reference to the work product doctrine in analyzing the policy deliberation exemption of the Massachusetts Public Records Law;

  • an amendment to Rule 801 of the Federal Rules of Evidence clarifying the admissibility of statements made by the declarant's principal;

  • the inapplicability of the business records exception to a manufacturer's prescription label;

  • further case law on when the testimony of a substitute expert witness will be found to violate the Confrontation Clause;

  • the inadmissibility of testimony regarding a search of the state's firearm registry; and

  • the use of summaries or compilations at trial.

  We trust you will find the 2025 edition of Massachusetts Evidence: A Courtroom Reference a valuable resource, as we at MCLE continue our efforts to bring you the latest solutions to the issues you face in your practice.

  Cordially,

  MCLE Press

Table of Contents

Chapter 01 expand

Introduction and Exclusion of Evidence; Burdens of Proof

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J.W. Carney, Jr., Esq., Carney Gaudet & Carney
Nathanial R. Carney, Esq., Carney Gaudet & Carney

Chapter 02 expand

Judicial Admissions and Evidentiary Admissions

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J.W. Carney, Jr., Esq., Carney Gaudet & Carney
Daniel J. Gaudet, Esq., Carney Gaudet & Carney

Chapter 03 expand

Witness Competency

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Neerja Sharma, Esq., Zucker Law Group LLP
Ellen J. Zucker, Esq., Zucker Law Group LLP

Chapter 04 expand

Evidentiary Privileges

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William Eugene Evans, Esq., Goodwin Procter LLP

Chapter 05 expand

Hearsay

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Gilda Tuoni Russell,

Chapter 06 expand

Expert Testimony

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Erin J. Meehan, Esq., Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy, PC
L. Jeffrey Meehan, Esq., Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy, PC

Chapter 07 expand

Unavailable Witnesses

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J.W. Carney, Jr., Esq., Carney Gaudet & Carney
Nathanial R. Carney, Esq., Carney Gaudet & Carney

Chapter 08 expand

Real Evidence

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J.W. Carney, Jr., Esq., Carney Gaudet & Carney
Andrea L. Davulis, Esq., MA Attorney General's Office

Chapter 09 expand

Documentary Evidence

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Matthew A. Kane, Esq., Laredo, Smith and Kane, LLP
Payal Salsburg, Esq., Laredo, Smith and Kane, LLP

Chapter 10 expand

Impeachment

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J.W. Carney, Jr., Esq., Carney Gaudet & Carney
Daniel J. Gaudet, Esq., Carney Gaudet & Carney

Appendix

Massachusetts Guide to Evidence, 2025 Edition—Quick Reference Version

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