Monday, August 31, 2026

For Tuesday, September 1

Monday audio.

We will finish with the final use in (b)(2)--Identity, then move to the assigned questions.

Prep Conditional Relevancy, which we then will map onto the two-step inquiry described in Bell

By coincidence, here is a new 8th Circuit case involving rap lyrics. The court admitted them under 404(b)(2) to show knowledge of drug terminology.

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

For Monday, August 31

Tuesday audio.

We will finish Character Evidence with FRE 405(b). What does it mean for a trait to be an essential element? Does murder qualify? Does perjury? Does defamation? What does qualify? 

For Monday and Tuesday, prep all of Other Acts; this covers FRE 404(b) and 405, plus C&S pp. 92-109 and problems 29-31. We will not get to the problems until Tuesday.

Monday, August 24, 2026

For Tuesday, August 25

Monday audio.

The divide in the Syllabus goes like this: 

   Character Evidence. FRE 105, 404(a), and 405, along with C&S pp. 69-89 and Problems 15-28.

    Prior Bad Acts. FRE 105, 404(b), along with C&S pp. 92-109 and problems 29-31. We will begin this late next Monday and then all of Tuesday.

We will work through Character tomorrow and into next Monday. In working through the problems involving FRE 404(a), get specific--which provision and which clause of each provision.

 

 

Judge Stephanos Bibas on writing

 Here. He focuses on judicial opinions, but the advice translates to all writing.

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

For Monday, September 24

Tuesday audio.

Prep the remainder of Introduction to Relevance.

We then move to Character Evidence. For next week, prep FRE 105, 404(a), and 405, along with C&S pp. 69-89 and Problems 15-28. Begin reviewing the MacIntyre v. Easterfield case file.

The following week, we will get to Prior Bad Acts, covering FRE 105, 404(b), along with C&S pp. 92-109 and problems 29-31.

Monday, August 17, 2026

For Tuesday, August 18

Monday audio. Seating chart tomorrow. Questions about the syllabus, assessments, etc. in the first few minutes of class.

Prep Introduction to Relevance, covering all reading and up through Question 6.