Professor Imwinkelried Comments on Ninth Circuit Evidence Ruling for Daily Journal

Professor Edward Imwinkelried commented for the Daily Journal on a recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit holding that a district court judge erred in admitting evidence of a prior civil complaint into a chief executive's securities fraud trial. 

Professor Imwinkelried said that the decision was "a good straightforward application" of Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b), which permits admission of prior wrongful acts to show motive, intent, plan or other factors.  "The fact that someone filed something against you isn't enough," he said.

Rule 404(b) on uncharged misconduct generates more published opinions than any other provision of the Federal Rules of Evidence.  Professor Imwinkelried is the author of the only multi-volume treatise on uncharged misconduct evidence in the English-speaking world.

Professor Imwinkelried is a world-renowned evidence expert and has published extensively in the field.