Robert I. Feinberg Personal Injury Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Why do evidence classes spend more than a month on hearsay?  Because it is tricky, arguably convoluted, but as with such things fitting that negative description, it is important.  A lawyer who is skillful in using objections, or defeating them, will strengthen his/her case and project confidence in so doing. 
 
In my last blog entitled 'Evidence, Evidence, Evidence', I wrote of the enduring principle in guiding the admission of evidence: that it have an indicia of reliability or trustworthiness.  Yes, then, there is sense to the rules.
 
Some states have a codified set of rules.  In fact, in the federal system, there are Federal Rules of Evidence.  In Massachusetts, we do not have a codified set of rules but since September of 2008 we have a “Massachusetts Guide to Evidence.”  While not a set of rules nor predictive of what a judge would do, its purpose is to make the law of evidence “accessible and understandable.” By its terms, the Guide says it is to inform lawyers, judges and the public.  A worthy purpose. 

Click here to learn more from our Boston MA personal injury attorney website.