Wisconsin State Law Library

Black's Law Dictionary defines "exculpatory evidence" as evidence tending to establish a criminal defendant's innocence. The authoritative text on exculpatory evidence is Exculpatory Evidence: the accused's constitutional right to introduce favorable evidence. Written by renown experts Edward J. Imwinkelried, UC Davis School of Law and Norman M. Garland, Southwestern University Law School, it is now in its third edition.

This detailed treatise offers a comprehensive examination of a defendant's right to present exculpatory evidence. Criminal defense attorneys will appreciate the commentary on successful trial defense strategies and ways to improve the effectiveness of their arguments.

Newer counsel and seasoned litigators will benefit from reading the introductory chapter on the English common law behind the accused's right to present a defense and how it developed into a constitutional standard in American case law. Subsequent chapters break down individual rules such as: