Product Description

Join Judge William G. Young of the U.S. District Court for this popular series on evidence and trial practice, which takes you through the essentials of discovery, motion practice, and trial.

This program will be held at the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse, Judge Young's Chambers, Courtroom 18-5th Floor, 1 Courthouse Way, Boston.

MCLE OnlinePass subscribers: To use your PLUS 1 benefit to attend this program FREE with your subscription, please contact Customer Service to register at 800-966-6253 or customerservice@mcle.org.

Agenda & Materials

• Thursday 3/30/2023, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

  Evidence and Discovery

  • Theory and types of relevance; Burdens, standards, and methods of proof; Prima facie case; Burdens of production and persuasion; Habit and routine; Relevant but inadmissible; Guilty pleas; Collateral source; Rape shield provisions • Trial preparation; Interrogatory and deposition practice; Requests for entry on land and admission; Litigation support services; Preparation of demonstrative aids; Time line; “Waves” of discovery; Multi-district practice; Preparation of the trial book • Experts; Law of expert testimony; GHOSTO rule; Qualifying the expert; Eliciting and explaining the expert opinion; Cross-examination of experts
• Thursday 4/6/2023, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

  Evidence and Motion Practice

  • Motion practice; Forum shopping; District of Massachusetts Cost and Delay Reduction Plan; Utilizing motions; Class certification; Advocacy of motions • Privileges and confidential data; Variety and manners of privileges • Presumptions and judicial notice; Conclusive relationships based on social policy; Rule of deference to legislative fact-finding
• Thursday 4/13/2023, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

  Evidence at Trial

  • Trial procedures; Jury empanelment; Taking objections and making the record; Motions for directed verdicts; Requests for jury instructions; Requests for findings and rulings; Time limits; Roles of the courtroom deputy clerk and court reporter • Direct and cross-examination techniques and structure; The five W’s; Leading questions; Order of witnesses; The adverse witness; Scope of interrogation • Impeachment; Grounds for impeachment and techniques; Prior inconsistent statements and convictions; The three Cs; Impeachment through evidence • Theory of rule against hearsay; The M theory; Four major groups of exceptions; Hearsay within hearsay; Rebutting hearsay testimony; Confrontation Clause; Prior statements of witnesses; “Reliable” and “necessary” exceptions • Evidentiary foundations; ARBPHU rule; Submission and use of tangible evidence; Arguments at trial; Opening statement; Closing argument

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Faculty