| Documentary Evidence |
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| Documentary evidence is evidence that is derived on a material source or substance. Documentary or secondary evidence must be authenticated prior to its admission. Documentary evidence is the actual or original writing or non-testimonial evidence sought to be admitted. Secondary evidence is a copy of the original document or non-testimonial evidence. The proponent of the evidence must show that the evidence is what the proponent purports that it is. More… |
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| Contempt |
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| Contempt is defined as conduct that obstructs or tends to obstruct the proper administration of justice. Contempt also includes an act that constitutes disrespectful conduct towards a court. In order to constitute contempt, the act itself must be disrespectful. A person’s intent or purpose is not relevant. The fact that the conduct may be irritating to the court does not constitute contempt. More… |
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| Insurance Fraud and Federal Prosecutions |
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| Although there is no specific federal statute prohibiting insurance fraud because there is a nexus with interstate commerce, federal prosecution for fraudulent conduct may be sought under a variety of different statutes. More… |
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| Tax Fraud and Corporate Criminal Liability |
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| A corporation may be potentially criminally liable for tax fraud committed by a director, officer, or employee. Basically, the general concept for corporate criminal liability is that a corporation may be found liable for committing criminal offenses when an employee, officer, or director of the corporation commits the criminal offense. Some jurisdictions still apply the common law theory that a corporation cannot be liable for a crime because it is unable to commit a crime in its corporate capacity. More… |
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| Depositions |
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| Depositions are not a discovery device for purposes of federal criminal practice. But depositions are permitted in the interests of justice or in exceptional circumstances. Further, if both parties agree, depositions may also be taken of witnesses. Either party may file a motion to take a deposition of a witness. The moving party should file its motion promptly and early in the pretrial process if possible. The moving party has the burden of showing that it is necessary to take the deposition of a witness in the interests of justice. It is within the trial court’s discretion to grant or deny the request to conduct a deposition. More… |
