A basic evidentiary prerequisite for a witness is that the witness must be competent. Identify the basic requirements for a person to qualify as a competent witness.
What are the three basic requirements for a person to qualify as a competent witness? Be sure to provide examples. For this assignment, address the following items:
• Research the history of competent witnesses in court and describe the evolution of legal procedures that regulate practice with respect to witness competency.
• Identify statutes regarding witness competency. Describe the procedures by which children are aided as witnesses.
• Explain how this requirement protects the integrity of a case while gathering facts to use as evidence.
• Explain how these laws relate to historical reasons why U.S. rules are more restrictive than those established by other countries.
In answering the last question, you may consider evidence law generally, and not only specific to competency of witnesses.