Miss. R. Evid. 612
Advisory Committee Historical Note.
Effective August 12, 1992, Rule 612 was amended to allow recordings and objects to be used to refresh a witness's memory. 603-605 So. 2d XXIV (West Miss. Cas. 1993).
Advisory Committee Note
The language of Rule 612 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Evidence Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. The contents of the Rule - formerly contained in a single paragraph - have been divided into subdivisions. These changes are intended to be stylistic only. There is no intent to change any result in any ruling on evidence admissibility.
Rule 612, while reflecting existing federal practice, deviates in some respects from pre-rule Mississippi practice. The purpose of Rule 612 is to stimulate memory in order to ascertain credible evidence.
If the witness uses a writing, recording or object (e.g., a photograph) while testifying, the adversary has the right to see such writing, recording or object, to cross-examine on the basis of these items, and to have the relevant portions introduced into evidence. If, on the other hand, the witness uses such items to refresh his memory before testifying, then it is within the trial court's discretion to allow the adversary to see them.
Additionally, the rule provides for an offer of proof when the trial court withholds certain portions of a writing, recording or object from the cross-examiner's use. The rule also provides sanctions for the occasions when such items are not produced pursuant to a court order.
The pre-rule Mississippi practice of using a writing to refresh a witness's memory has often been confused with the past recollection recorded exception to the hearsay rule. Prior to the rules, a party who simply wanted to refresh a witness's memory often felt compelled to satisfy the foundation requirements of the hearsay exception. Rule 612 eliminates this state of confusion and permits any writing, recording or object to be used, regardless of whether it is in compliance with the foundation requirements of the hearsay exception.
["Advisory Committee Note" substituted for "Comment," effective June 16, 2016; amended July 1, 2016, to note restyling.]
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