FederalRulesofEvidence
ATICLEI.GENERALPROVISIONSRule101.ScopeTheserulesgovernproceedingsinthecourtsoftheUnitedStatesandbeforeUnitedStatesbankruptcyjudgesandUnitedStatesmagistratejudges,totheextentandwiththeexceptionsstatedinrule1101.Rule102.PurposeandConstructionTheserulesshallbeconstruedtosecurefairnessinadministration,eliminationofunjustifiableexpenseanddelay,andpromotionofgrowthanddevelopmentofthelawofevidencetotheendthatthetruthmaybeascertainedandproceedingsjustlydetermined.Rule103.RulingsonEvidence(a)Effectoferroneousruling.Errormaynotbepredicateduponarulingwhichadmitsorexcludesevidenceunlessasubstantialrightofthepartyisaffected,and(1)Objection.-Incasetherulingisoneadmittingevidence,atimelyobjectionormotiontostrikeappearsofrecord,statingthespecificgroundofobjection,ifthespecificgroundwasnotapparentfromthecontext;or(2)Offerofproof.-Incasetherulingisoneexcludingevidence,thesubstanceoftheevidencewasmadeknowntothecourtbyofferorwasapparentfromthecontextwithinwhichquestionswereasked.Oncethecourtmakesadefinitiverulingontherecordadmittingorexcludingevidence,eitheratorbeforetrial,apartyneednotrenewanobjectionorofferofprooftopreserveaclaimoferrorforappeal.(b)RecordofofferandrulingThecourtmayaddanyotherorfurtherstatementwhichshowsthecharacteroftheevidence,theforminwhichitwasoffered,theobjectionmade,andtherulingthereon.Itmaydirectthemakingofanofferinquestionandanswerform.(c)HearingofjuryInjurycases,proceedingsshallbeconducted,totheextentpracticable,soastopreventinadmissibleevidencefrombeingsuggestedtothejurybyanymeans,suchasmakingstatementsoroffersofprooforaskingquestionsinthehearingofthejury.(d)PlainerrorNothinginthisruleprecludestakingnoticeofplainerrorsaffectingsubstantialrightsalthoughtheywerenotbroughttotheattentionofthecourt.Rule104.PreliminaryQuestions(a)Questionsofadmissibilitygenerally.Preliminaryquestionsconcerningthequalificationofapersontobeawitness,theexistenceofaprivilege,ortheadmissibilityofevidenceshallbedeterminedbythecourt,subjecttotheprovisionsofsubdivision(b).Inmakingitsdeterminationitisnotboundbytherulesofevidenceexceptthosewithrespecttoprivileges.(b)Relevancyconditionedonfact.Whentherelevancyofevidencedependsuponthefulfillmentofaconditionoffact,thecourtshalladmititupon,orsubjectto,theintroductionofevidencesufficienttosupportafindingofthefulfillmentofthecondition.(c)Hearingofjury.Hearingsontheadmissibilityofconfessionsshallinallcasesbeconductedoutofthehearingofthejury.Hearingsonotherpreliminarymattersshallbesoconductedwhentheinterestsofjusticerequire,orwhenanaccusedisawitnessandsorequests.(d)Testimonybyaccused.Theaccuseddoesnot,bytestifyinguponapreliminarymatter,becomesubjecttocross-examinationastootherissuesinthecase.(e)Weightandcredibility.Thisruledoesnotlimittherightofapartytointroducebeforethejuryevidencerelevanttoweightorcredibility.Rule105.LimitedAdmissibilityWhenevidencewhichisadmissibleastoonepartyorforonepurposebutnotadmissibleastoanotherpartyorforanotherpurposeisadmitted,thecourt,uponrequest,shallrestricttheevidencetoitsproperscopeandinstructthejuryaccordingly.Rule106.RemainderoforRelatedWritingsorRecordedStatementsWhenawritingorrecordedstatementorpartthereofisintroducedbyaparty,anadversepartymayrequiretheintroductionatthattimeofanyotherpartoranyotherwritingorrecordedstatementwhichoughtinfairnesstobeconsideredcontemporaneouslywithit.ATICLEII.JUDICIALNOTICE[TableofContents]Rule201.JudicialNoticeofAdjudicativeFacts(a)Scopeofrule.Thisrulegovernsonlyjudicialnoticeofadjudicativefacts.(b)Kindsoffacts.Ajudiciallynoticedfactmustbeonenotsubjecttoreasonabledisputeinthatitiseither(1)generallyknownwithintheterritorialjurisdictionofthetrialcourtor(2)capableofaccurateandreadydeterminationbyresorttosourceswhoseaccuracycannotreasonablybequestioned.(c)Whendiscretionary.Acourtmaytakejudicialnotice,whetherrequestedornot.(d)Whenmandatory.Acourtshalltakejudicialnoticeifrequestedbyapartyandsuppliedwiththenecessaryinformation.(e)Opportunitytobeheard.Apartyisentitledupontimelyrequesttoanopportunitytobeheardastotheproprietyoftakingjudicialnoticeandthetenorofthematternoticed.Intheabsenceofpriornotification,therequestmaybemadeafterjudicialnoticehasbeentaken.(f)Timeoftakingnotice.Judicialnoticemaybetakenatanystageoftheproceeding.(g)Instructingjury.Inacivilactionorproceeding,thecourtshallinstructthejurytoacceptasconclusiveanyfactjudiciallynoticed.Inacriminalcase,thecourtshallinstructthejurythatitmay,butisnotrequiredto,acceptasconclusiveanyfactjudiciallynoticed.ATICLEIII.PRESUMPTIONSINCIVILACTIONSANDPROCEEDINGS[TableofContents]Rule301.PresumptionsinGeneralCivilActionsandProceedingsInallcivilactionsandproceedingsnototherwiseprovidedforbyActofCongressorbytheserules,apresumptionimposesonthepartyagainstwhomitisdirectedtheburdenofgoingforwardwithevidencetorebutormeetthepresumption,butdoesnotshifttosuchpartytheburdenofproofinthesenseoftheriskofnonpersuasion,whichremainsthroughoutthetrialuponthepartyonwhomitwasoriginallycast.Rule302.ApplicabilityofStateLawinCivilActionsandProceedingsIncivilactionsandproceedings,theeffectofapresumptionrespectingafactwhichisanelementofaclaimordefenseastowhichStatelawsuppliestheruleofdecisionisdeterminedinaccordancewithStatelaw.ATICLEIV.RELEVANCYANDITSLIMITS[TableofContents]Rule401.Definitionof"RelevantEvidence""Relevantevidence"meansevidencehavinganytendencytomaketheexistenceofanyfactthatisofconsequencetothedeterminationoftheactionmoreprobableorlessprobablethanitwouldbewithouttheevidence.Rule402.RelevantEvidenceGenerallyAdmissible;IrrelevantEvidenceInadmissibleAllrelevantevidenceisadmissible,exceptasotherwiseprovidedbytheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,byActofCongress,bytheserules,orbyotherrulesprescribedbytheSupremeCourtpursuanttostatutoryauthority.Evidencewhichisnotrelevantisnotadmissible.Rule403.ExclusionofRelevantEvidenceonGroundsofPrejudice,Confusion,orWasteofTimeAlthoughrelevant,evidencemaybeexcludedifitsprobativevalueissubstantiallyoutweighedbythedangerofunfairprejudice,confusionoftheissues,ormisleadingthejury,orbyconsiderationsofunduedelay,wasteoftime,orneedlesspresentationofcumulativeevidence.Rule404.CharacterEvidenceNotAdmissibleToProveConduct;Exceptions;OtherCrimes(a)CharacterevidencegenerallyEvidenceofaperson''scharacteroratraitofcharacterisnotadmissibleforthepurposeofprovingactioninconformitytherewithonaparticularoccasion,except:(1)Characterofaccused-Evidenceofapertinenttraitofcharacterofferedbyanaccused,orbytheprosecutiontorebutthesame,orifevidenceofatraitofcharacteroftheallegedvictimofthecrimeisofferedbyanaccusedandadmittedunderRule404(a)(2),evidenceofthesametraitofcharacteroftheaccusedofferedbytheprosecution;(2)Characterofallegedvictim-Evidenceofapertinenttraitofcharacteroftheallegedvictimofthecrimeofferedbyanaccused,orbytheprosecutiontorebutthesame,orevidenceofacharactertraitofpeacefulnessoftheallegedvictimofferedbytheprosecutioninahomicidecasetorebutevidencethattheallegedvictimwasthefirstaggressor;(3)Characterofwitness-Evidenceofthecharacterofawitness,asprovidedinrules607,608,and609.(b)Othercrimes,wrongs,oractsEvidenceofothercrimes,wrongs,oractsisnotadmissibletoprovethecharacterofapersoninordertoshowactioninconformitytherewith.Itmay,however,beadmissibleforotherpurposes,suchasproofofmotive,opportunity,intent,preparation,plan,knowledge,identity,orabsenceofmistakeoraccident,providedthatuponrequestbytheaccused,theprosecutioninacriminalcaseshallprovidereasonablenoticeinadvanceoftrial,orduringtrialifthecourtexcusespretrialnoticeongoodcauseshown,ofthegeneralnatureofanysuchevidenceitintendstointroduceattrial.Rule405.MethodsofProvingCharacter(a)Reputationoropinion.Inallcasesinwhichevidenceofcharacteroratraitofcharacterofapersonisadmissible,proofmaybemadebytestimonyastoreputationorbytestimonyintheformofanopinion.Oncross-examination,inquiryisallowableintorelevantspecificinstancesofconduct.(b)Specificinstancesofconduct.Incasesinwhichcharacteroratraitofcharacterofapersonisanessentialelementofacharge,claim,ordefense,proofmayalsobemadeofspecificinstancesofthatperson''sconduct.Rule406.Habit;RoutinePracticeEvidenceofthehabitofapersonoroftheroutinepracticeofanorganization,whethercorroboratedornotandregardlessofthepresenceofeyewitnesses,isrelevanttoprovethattheconductofthepersonororganizationonaparticularoccasionwasinconformitywiththehabitorroutinepractice.Rule407.SubsequentRemedialMeasuresWhen,afteraninjuryorharmallegedlycausedbyanevent,measuresaretakenthat,iftakenpreviously,wouldhavemadetheinjuryorharmlesslikelytooccur,evidenceofthesubsequentmeasuresisnotadmissibletoprovenegligence,culpableconduct,adefectinaproduct,adefectinaproduct''sdesign,oraneedforawarningorinstruction.Thisruledoesnotrequiretheexclusionofevidenceofsubsequentmeasureswhenofferedforanotherpurpose,suchasprovingownership,control,orfeasibilityofprecautionarymeasures,ifcontroverted,orimpeachment.Rule408.CompromiseandOfferstoCompromiseEvidenceof(1)furnishingorofferingorpromisingtofurnish,or(2)acceptingorofferingorpromisingtoaccept,avaluableconsiderationincompromisingorattemptingtocompromiseaclaimwhichwasdisputedastoeithervalidityoramount,isnotadmissibletoproveliabilityfororinvalidityoftheclaimoritsamount.Evidenceofconductorstatementsmadeincompromisenegotiationsislikewisenotadmissible.Thisruledoesnotrequiretheexclusionofanyevidenceotherwisediscoverablemerelybecauseitispresentedinthecourseofcompromisenegotiations.Thisrulealsodoesnotrequireexclusionwhentheevidenceisofferedforanotherpurpose,suchasprovingbiasorprejudiceofawitness,negativingacontentionofunduedelay,orprovinganefforttoobstructacriminalinvestigationorprosecution.Rule409.PaymentofMedicalandSimilarExpensesEvidenceoffurnishingorofferingorpromisingtopaymedical,hospital,orsimilarexpensesoccasionedbyaninjuryisnotadmissibletoproveliabilityfortheinjury.Rule410.InadmissibilityofPleas,PleaDiscussions,andRelatedStatementsExceptasotherwiseprovidedinthisrule,evidenceofthefollowingisnot,inanycivilorcriminalproceeding,admissibleagainstthedefendantwhomadethepleaorwasaparticipantinthepleadiscussions:(1)apleaofguiltywhichwaslaterwithdrawn;(2)apleaofnolocontendere;(3)anystatementmadeinthecourseofanyproceedingsunderRule11oftheFederalRulesofCriminalProcedureorcomparablestateprocedureregardingeitheroftheforegoingpleas;or(4)anystatementmadeinthecourseofpleadiscussionswithanattorneyfortheprosecutingauthoritywhichdonotresultinapleaofguiltyorwhichresultinapleaofguiltylaterwithdrawn.However,suchastatementisadmissible(i)inanyproceedingwhereinanotherstatementmadeinthecourseofthesamepleaorpleadiscussionshasbeenintroducedandthestatementoughtinfairnessbeconsideredcontemporaneouslywithit,or(ii)inacriminalproceedingforperjuryorfalsestatementifthestatementwasmadebythedefendantunderoath,ontherecordandinthepresenceofcounsel.Rule411.LiabilityInsuranceEvidencethatapersonwasorwasnotinsuredagainstliabilityisnotadmissibleupontheissuewhetherthepersonactednegligentlyorotherwisewrongfully.Thisruledoesnotrequiretheexclusionofevidenceofinsuranceagainstliabilitywhenofferedforanotherpurpose,suchasproofofagency,ownership,orcontrol,orbiasorprejudiceofawitness.Rule412.SexOffenseCases;RelevanceofAllegedVictim''sPastSexualBehaviororAllegedSexualPredisposition(a)Evidencegenerallyinadmissible.Thefollowingevidenceisnotadmissibleinanycivilorcriminalproceedinginvolvingallegedsexualmisconductexceptasprovidedinsubdivisions(b)and(c):(1)Evidenceofferedtoprovethatanyallegedvictimengagedinothersexualbehavior.(2)Evidenceofferedtoproveanyallegedvictim''ssexualpredisposition.(b)Exceptions.(1)Inacriminalcase,thefollowingevidenceisadmissible,ifotherwiseadmissibleundertheserules:(A)evidenceofspecificinstancesofsexualbehaviorbytheallegedvictimofferedtoprovethatapersonotherthantheaccusedwasthesourceofsemen,injury,orotherphysicalevidence;(B)evidenceofspecificinstancesofsexualbeh
|
|
