Contents & Context
These rules govern the introduction of evidence in proceedings, both civil and criminal, in Federal courts. While they do not apply to suits in state courts, the rules of many states have been closely modeled on these provisions.
Federal Rules of Evidence (2011)
(incorporating revisions that took effect Dec. 1, 2011)
ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE II. JUDICIAL NOTICE
ARTICLE III. PRESUMPTIONS IN CIVIL CASES
ARTICLE IV. RELEVANCE AND ITS LIMITS
ARTICLE V. PRIVILEGES
ARTICLE VI. WITNESSES
ARTICLE VII. OPINIONS AND EXPERT TESTIMONY
ARTICLE VIII. HEARSAY
ARTICLE IX. AUTHENTICATION AND IDENTIFICATION
ARTICLE X. CONTENTS OF WRITINGS, RECORDINGS, AND PHOTOGRAPHS
ARTICLE XI. MISCELLANEOUS RULES
- Rule 101. Scope; Definitions
- Rule 102. Purpose
- Rule 103. Rulings on Evidence
- Rule 104. Preliminary Questions
- Rule 105. Limiting Evidence That Is Not Admissible Against Other Parties or for Other Purposes
- Rule 106. Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded Statements
ARTICLE III. PRESUMPTIONS IN CIVIL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS
- Rule 301. Presumptions in Civil Cases Generally
- Rule 302. Applying State Law to Presumptions in Civil Cases
ARTICLE IV. RELEVANCY AND ITS LIMITS
- Rule 401. Test for Relevant Evidence
- Rule 402. General Admissibility of Relevant Evidence
- Rule 403. Excluding Relevant Evidence for Prejudice, Confusion, Waste of Time, or Other Reasons
- Rule 404. Character Evidence; Crimes or Other Acts
- Rule 405. Methods of Proving Character
- Rule 406. Habit; Routine Practice
- Rule 407. Subsequent Remedial Measures
- Rule 408. Compromise Offers and Negotiations
- Rule 409. Offers to Pay Medical and Similar Expenses
- Rule 410. Pleas, Plea Discussions, and Related Statements
- Rule 411. Liability Insurance
- Rule 412. Sex-Offense Cases: The Victim’s Sexual Behavior or Predisposition
- Rule 413. Similar Crimes in Sexual-Assault Cases
- Rule 414. Similar Crimes in Child Molestation Cases
- Rule 415. Similar Acts in Civil Cases Involving Sexual Assault or Child Molestation
- Rule 501. Privilege in General
- Rule 502. Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product; Limitations on Waiver
- Rule 601. Competency to Testify in General
- Rule 602. Need for Personal Knowledge
- Rule 603. Oath or Affirmation to Testify Truthfully
- Rule 604. Interpreters
- Rule 605. Judge’s Competency as a Witness
- Rule 606. Juror’s Competency as a Witness
- Rule 607. Who May Impeach a Witness
- Rule 608. A Witness’s Character for Truthfulness or Untruthfulness
- Rule 609. Impeachment by Evidence of a Criminal Conviction
- Rule 610. Religious Beliefs or Opinions
- Rule 611. Mode and Order of Examining Witnesses and Presenting Evidence
- Rule 612. Writing Used to Refresh a Witness’s Memory
- Rule 613. Witness’s Prior Statement
- Rule 614. Court’s Calling or Examining a Witness
- Rule 615. Excluding Witnesses
ARTICLE VII. OPINIONS AND EXPERT TESTIMONY
- Rule 701. Opinion Testimony by Lay Witnesses
- Rule 702. Testimony by Expert Witnesses
- Rule 703. Bases of an Expert’s Opinion Testimony
- Rule 704. Opinion on an Ultimate Issue
- Rule 705. Disclosing the Facts or Data Underlying an Expert’s Opinion
- Rule 706. Court-Appointed Expert Witnesses
- Rule 801. Definitions That Apply to This Article; Exclusions from Hearsay
- Rule 802. The Rule Against Hearsay
- Rule 803. Exceptions to the Rule Against Hearsay — Regardless of Whether the Declarant Is Available as a Witness
- Rule 804. Hearsay Exceptions; Declarant Unavailable
- Rule 805. Hearsay Within Hearsay
- Rule 806. Attacking and Supporting the Declarant’s Credibility
- Rule 807. Residual Exception
ARTICLE IX. AUTHENTICATION AND IDENTIFICATION
- Rule 901. Authenticating or Identifying Evidence
- Rule 902. Evidence That Is Self-Authenticating
- Rule 903. Subscribing Witness’s Testimony
ARTICLE X. CONTENTS OF WRITINGS, RECORDINGS, AND PHOTOGRAPHS
- Rule 1001. Definitions That Apply to This Article
- Rule 1002. Requirement of the Original
- Rule 1003. Admissibility of Duplicates
- Rule 1004. Admissibility of Other Evidence of Content
- Rule 1005. Copies of Public Records to Prove Content
- Rule 1006. Summaries to Prove Content
- Rule 1007. Testimony or Statement of a Party to Prove Content
- Rule 1008. Functions of the Court and Jury