Friday, February 20

Evidence Flow Charts


Hey friends! I took Evidence last semester, and about halfway through the semester, realized there was no way I was going to understand the material unless it was in a chart. I'm not even that big of a chart person, but weirdly enough, it worked for me and Evidence!

My friend Hilary introduced me to LucidChart, which is an online program where you can make charts! It gives you tons of options and I loved using the program. I don't really need charts this semester, but I have no doubt I'll need this program in the future, whether it's in law school or out in the real world!

Anyway, back to Evidence! Today, I'm uploading ALL my Evidence flow charts in the hope that it will help those of you taking Evidence study and understand the material better. 

A few disclaimers here, because I am (almost) a lawyer: This is absolutely, 100% not legal advice - it's to help people studying law to get a different view of Evidence. Please do not use these to learn Evidence all by yourself - do the readings for class, work hard, and use these to help yourself learn some of the trickier rules. While I think the flow charts are probably 98% right, I'm human and I'm sure there's a mistake in there somewhere, so if you find a mistake, PLEASE let me know and I'll make changes to the charts! :)

I had to upload the pictures in a smaller format, so to make them as big as possible and download them, click on the picture itself and it should take you to the image on it's own page!


Expert & Opinion Testimony Rules


Habit, Compromise, Plea Deals, Etc. Rules


Hearsay Exceptions


Hearsay Rules 


Witness Impeachment Rules


Privilege Rules


Relevancy Rules


Witness Rules


I hope these are helpful to you! Happy studying! :)

29 comments:

  1. These really help to channel your thoughts. Even if they are not used verbatim, they help to guide you to a better understanding of the work. Thank you

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    1. Hey Ceeudat! I'm SO happy that these have helped. I used them to study for evidence, and then this summer to study for the bar. Making these charts kind of helped to get my mind around the natural "flow" of the evidence rules. :)

      xo M

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  2. Thank you! These are really helpful. What program did you use to make the charts?

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    1. Hey Johanna! So glad these were helpful for you! :) I used Lucid Chart. If you're still in school, you can get a free student account, which is what I used. Super useful if you're more of a visual learner, like I am!

      xo M

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  3. I am in evidence right now and was completely lost. These charts are going to be a life saver!! Thank you so much! YOU ROCK!!!

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    1. Awww, that makes me so happy! I really hope they're helpful for you. :)

      xo M

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  4. Here I am, late at night in a state far, far away studying for my Evidence final. And, because of your mad flowchart skills and kindness in sharing them, I'm going to do great on my test. I learned about these from another classmate. Look at all the people you've helped through this blog. Thanks for being such a blessing to us all, Madie.

    Chris

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    1. Hi Chris - Thank you so much for your kind words! So often, law school feels like it's a constant competition between classmates. I never subscribed to that mindset, and I'm so happy that these flow charts have helped you (and others)! Don't forget to pass it on - the world needs more compassionate lawyers!

      xo M

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  5. Your blog has made my life so much better. Specifically this evidence chart, but also your whole experience with the bar and law school in general. I'm "glad" to know it makes everyone crazy. Is that what we're supposed to get from law school? I still don't know, but I'm grateful for all your posts!

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    1. Hey "Young Hufflepuff!" First of all, greetings from a fellow (and very proud) Hufflepuff. :) I'm SO happy that my law school & bar exam posts have been helpful to you! That's one of the main reasons I started writing them - because when I was going through it, I was trying to find someone else who was having similar experiences (or at least talking about them publically), and I really struggled to feel like I belonged or knew what I was doing. Even now, as a lawyer 2 years out, you never *really* know what you're doing, because the law changes all the time, haha. Regardless, you commenting has totally made my day, and I'm so grateful for you and your vulnerability! If you're still in law school and/or getting ready for the bar, good luck!! You CAN do it. :)
      - xo M

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  6. All I can say is: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! Was very lost until I found your postings and I sincerely appreciate it.

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  7. I was just thinking about this being a thing glad someone did it. Thank you for the post.

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  8. Hi! Any chance you would share the final link to these? I would live to work with them in lucid and customize them a bit!

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    1. I no longer have a lucid account, unfortunately. :(

      - xo M

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  9. These are so helpful! Thank you so so so much!!!

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  10. Really appriciate your hardwork i want same thing to be done in Indian Law

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  11. These charts definitely helped me get an A in Evidence. Thank you so much!! Do you happen to have charts for any other law class? (Asking for a friend...)

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  13. Almost 2022 and these charts are still helping people out. Thanks!

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  14. 2022 and I’m SO grateful for these. You are a ray of sunshine and great person for sharing. Having a study guide to make these my own is 10/10

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  15. 2022 and these are still hella helping people out.

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  16. evidence final coming up, cramming and nervous, and i find these! thank you so much!

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  17. Madie, Thank you SO MUCH!!

    I am in my second year of law school and a little overwhelmed this semester. I am enjoying Evidence, though, and these flowcharts are really going to help me consolidate what I am learning in class. You are so generous and I appreciate it!

    I hope your career in law is going spectacularly!!

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  18. I am up studying evidence for the bar exam, and I got to hearsay. I realized that I would have to create a visual to really learn the rules cold. Something told me to Google hearsay flowcharts and I ended up here. Thank you SO MUCH for creating these!!! You are appreciated :)

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