Federal Rules of Evidence

As amended through December 1, 2019.


These rules apply to proceedings in United States courts.


Article I – General Provisions

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 II – Judicial Notice

Rule 201 – Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts

Article III – Presumptions in Civil Cases

Rule 301 – Presumptions in Civil Cases Generally

Rule 302 – Applying State Law to Presumptions in Civil Cases


Article IV – Relevance 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


Article V – Privileges

Rule 501 – Privilege in General

Rule 502 – Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product; Limitations on Waiver


Article VI – Witnesses

Rule 601 – Competency to Testify in General

Rule 602 – Need for Personal Knowledge

Rule 603 – Oath or Affirmation to Testify Truthfully

Rule 604 – Interpreter

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

Rule 704 – Opinion on an Ultimate Issue

Rule 705 – Disclosing the Facts or Data Underlying an Expert

Rule 706 – Court-Appointed Expert Witnesses


Article VIII – Hearsay

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

Rule 804 – Hearsay Exceptions; Declarant Unavailable

Rule 805 – Hearsay Within Hearsay

Rule 806 – Attacking and Supporting the Declarant

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


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


Article XI – Miscellaneous Rules

Rule 1101 – Applicability of the Rules

Rule 1102 – Amendments

Rule 1103 – Title