Nevada Evidence Law Flashcards

Under Nevada law, which of the following correctly states the excited utterance exception to the hearsay rule?

Answer: A statement relating to a startling event or condition made while the declarant was under the stress of excitement caused by the event

NRS 51.095 defines the excited utterance as a statement relating to a startling event or condition made while the declarant was still under the stress of excitement caused by the event, with no strict time limit.

In a Nevada criminal trial, which constitutional provision requires the judge to assess the voluntariness of a defendant's confession before admitting it into evidence?

Answer: The Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination and the Due Process Clause

The Fifth Amendment's self-incrimination clause and the Due Process Clause require courts to assess whether a confession was voluntary before admitting it, ensuring it was not coerced by government action.

When authenticating a document in Nevada, the proponent must produce sufficient evidence to support a finding that the item is what the proponent claims it is. Which of the following is a self-authenticating document under the Nevada Rules of Evidence?

Answer: An official publication purportedly issued by a public authority

Under NRS 52.075, official publications issued by public authority are self-authenticating and require no extrinsic evidence of authenticity to be admitted.

Under Nevada law, which standard governs a trial court's decision to exclude relevant evidence under NRS 48.035 (equivalent to FRE 403)?

Answer: The court may exclude relevant evidence if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury

NRS 48.035 permits exclusion of relevant evidence when its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, misleading the jury, undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.

In Nevada, prior consistent statements of a witness are admissible as non-hearsay substantive evidence when offered to rebut which type of allegation?

Answer: An express or implied charge of recent fabrication, improper influence, or improper motive

Under NRS 51.035(2)(b), a prior consistent statement is admissible as substantive evidence when offered to rebut an express or implied charge of recent fabrication or improper influence or motive, provided the statement was made before the alleged fabrication or motive arose.

Under Nevada law, which of the following is true regarding the admissibility of statements made during plea negotiations?

Answer: Statements made during plea negotiations are inadmissible to prove guilt if the negotiations are unsuccessful and the defendant goes to trial

NRS 48.125 and NRS 174.065 protect statements made during plea negotiations from being used against the defendant at trial to prove guilt, encouraging candid settlement discussions.

Under Nevada's rape shield law (NRS 50.090), which of the following is the general rule regarding the admissibility of evidence about a sexual assault victim's past sexual conduct?

Answer: Evidence of a victim's past sexual conduct with persons other than the defendant is inadmissible except in limited statutory exceptions

NRS 50.090 prohibits admission of a sexual assault victim's past sexual conduct with anyone other than the defendant, subject only to narrow exceptions such as consent defense involving prior conduct with the defendant or to explain physical evidence.