How can learned treatises be utilized in court?

Learned treatises can be utilized in court as substantive evidence when they have been established as reliable authority in a particular field. This approach is grounded in the rule that allows judges to permit the introduction of such writings to substantiate expert testimonies or to provide context for certain issues.

In practice, a party attempting to use a learned treatise must first lay a foundation that demonstrates the text's authority and reliability, typically through expert testimony or acknowledgment by the opposing party. Once validated, these treatises can support significant issues in the case, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge, thereby bolstering the credibility of expert witnesses or providing essential information to the jury that can influence the outcomes based on established facts or prevailing theories in the relevant field.

The other options do not accurately represent the utility of learned treatises. They cannot be used solely for impeachment, nor are they unlimited in supporting witness credibility. Additionally, their use is not restricted to instances of ambush; rather, they are admissible when properly introduced and supported in a structured legal argument.