In this module, you learned:
- Federal courts handle constitutional issues; state courts handle most criminal cases
- Forensic nurses may testify as lay (fact) witnesses or expert witnesses
- Daubert (federal expert standard), Crawford (Confrontation Clause), and Brady (exculpatory evidence) are essential cases
- HIPAA, VAWA, EMTALA, and CAPTA directly impact forensic nursing practice
- Standards of proof vary: beyond reasonable doubt (criminal), preponderance (civil)
- Nurse Practice Acts and the ANA Code of Ethics govern nursing practice
The document below contains the complete content outline and bibliography for the Legal Pillar. Download it for your study sessions! All resources are open-source and linked directly—if you encounter a broken link, try searching the title in Google or contact FNCB at [email protected] for assistance.
Essential Resources for Legal Pillar Study
⭐ Priority Reading List
- Court Role and Structure: uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/court-role-and-structure
- Daubert v. Merrell Dow: law.cornell.edu/supct/html/92-102.ZS.html
- HIPAA Privacy & Security: hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/guidance-materials-for-consumers/
- Federal Rules of Evidence: rulesofevidence.org
Additional resources are available in the Legal Pillar Bibliography (Modules 5-7 supporting documents).