Includes bibliographical references and index.

Why and how we have rules of evidence -- The stages of a criminal case and how to read the legal documents associated with a criminal case -- Burden of proof and alternatives to formal proof : judicial notice, presumptions, inferences, and stipulations -- Relevance : probative value and materiality and exclusion of relevant evidence -- Constitutional exclusion of evidence -- Character evidence -- Privileges -- Witnesses and competency -- Opinions, experts, and scientific evidence -- Examination, impeachment, and rehabilitation of witnesses -- Hearsay and hearsay exceptions -- Authentication, identification, exhibits, and the best evidence rule.