Florida Trial Objections Civil and Criminal.

• Author: Katzen, Elizabeth S.
• Position: Book Review

Trial Objections by Judge Paul Siegel

Judge Paul Siegel has just completed the 2005 updated edition of his book, Florida Trial Objections Civil and Criminal. It provides a practical and in-depth analysis of the Florida Evidence Code, Florida Rules of Professional Conduct, and the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct.

Instead of the typical and boring regurgitation of a rule followed by a dry note and a few cases, Judge Siegel provides detailed, lively explanations of the rules, how to effectively use them as both a sword and a shield and case law to assist the reader in his/her understanding. Significantly, each chapter contains sections that he identifies as "Practice Tips." These tips are exceptionally insightful. For instance, chapter two's practice tip on judicial notice states: "It is hard to undo judicial notice. Once the court takes judicial notice of a matter, and charges the jury to that effect, a retraction or correction will be of little use. Having heard it, the jury may well not be able to forget it, even if the judge instructs the jury otherwise." Anyone who has over tried a case knows that you cannot un-ring a bell that the jury has heard.

A great feature of the book is the layout. Judge Siegel has divided the book into 19 well organized and practical sections. The book is also formatted on CD, which is included. For instance, chapter one discusses how to make a proper objection and the procedures necessary to have the objection sustained and upheld on appeal. This soup-to-nuts chapter begins with a basic discussion of the admissibility and principles of evidence and then gives the reader a step-by-step guide regarding the detailed procedure that...