Abstract
In order to understand why Dead Man's statutes should be amended by state legislatures, it is important to look at the historical context of Dead Man's statutes and how they have been handled, interpreted and applied in different states. Consequently, Part II of this paper presents an historical outline of Dead Man's statutes; Part III surveys nine states that currently have a common law Dead Man's statute; Part IV analyzes the weaknesses behind the Dead Man's statute; Part V presents three separate alternatives that states should consider adopting in lieu of their current Dead Man's statutes. Finally, part VI concludes this paper.
Recommended Citation
Ed Wallis, Outdated Form of Evidentiary Law: A Survey of Dead Man's Statutes and a Proposal for Change, 53 Clev. St. L. Rev. 75 (2005)