Note

Books As Weapons: Reading Materials and Unfairly Prejudicial Character Evidence

Author: Paul Varnado (Washington University School of Law)

Abstract

This Note argues that reading histories should be barred as a matter of law from the criminal trial context because admission of such evidence unfairly prejudices a defendant in the eyes of a rational fact-finder.

Keywords: Reading interests, Reading histories, Surveillance of intellectual activity, Character evidence (Law), Right of privacy, Admissible evidence, Cognitive evidence, Federal Rules of Evidence

How to Cite: Varnado, P. (2009) “Books As Weapons: Reading Materials and Unfairly Prejudicial Character Evidence”, Washington University Journal of Law and Policy. 31(1).