Article 1 - General Provisions Flashcards
Rule 101
Scope; Defintions
Rule 101(a)
Scope. These rules apply to proceedings in United States courts. The specific courts and proceedings to which the rules apply, along with exceptions, are set out in Rule 1101.
Rule 101(b)
Definitions
Rule 101(b)(1)
“Civil cases” means civil action or proceedings;
Rule 101(b)(2)
“Criminal case” includes a criminal proceedings;
Rule 101(b)(3)
“Public office” includes a public agency;
Rule 101(b)(4)
“Record” includes a memorandum, report, or data compilation;
Rule 101(b)(5)
A “rule prescribed by the Supreme Court” means a rule adopted by the Supreme Court under statutory authority; and
Rule 101(b)(6)
A reference to any kind of written material or any other medium includes electronically stored information.
Rule 102
Purpose
These rules should be construed so as to administer every proceedings fairly, eliminate unjustifiable expense and delay, and promote the development of evidence law, to the end of ascertaining the truth and securing a just determination.
Rule 103
Rulings on Evidence
Rule 103(a)
Preserving claim of error. A party May claim error in a ruling to admit or exclude evidence only if the error affects a substantial right of the party and:
Rule 103(a)(1)
Preserving claim of error. A party May claim error in a ruling to admit or exclude evidence only if the error affects a substantial right of the party and: If the ruling admits evidence, a party, on the record:
Rule 103(a)(1)(A)
Preserving claim of error. A party May claim error in a ruling to admit or exclude evidence only if the error affects a substantial right of the party and: Timely objects or moves to strike; and
Rule 103(a)(1)(B)
Preserving claim of error. A party May claim error in a ruling to admit or exclude evidence only if the error affects a substantial right of the party and: States the specific ground, unless it was apparent from the context; or
Rule 103(a)(2)
If the ruling excludes evidence,a party informs the court of its substance by an offer of proof, unless the substance was apparent from the context.
Rule 103(b)
Not Needing to Renew an Objection or Offer of Proof. Once the court rules definitively on the record - either before or at trial - a party need not renew an objection or offer of proof to preserve a claim of error for appeal.
Rule 103(c)
Court’s Statement About the Ruling; Directing an Offer of Proof. The court may make any statement about the character or form of the evidence, the objection made, and the ruling. The court may direct that an offer of proof be made in question-and-answer form.
Rule 103(d)
Preventing the Jury from Hearing Inadmissible Evidence. To the extent practicable, the court must conduct a jury trial so that inadmissible evidence is not suggested to the jury by an means.
Rule 103(e)
Taking Notice of Plain Error. A court may take notice of a plain error affecting a substantial right, even if the claim of error was not properly preserved.
Rule 104
Preliminary Questions
Rule 104(a)
In General. The court must decide any preliminary question about whether a witness is qualified, a privilege exists, or evidence is admissible. In so deciding, the court is not bound by evidence rules, except those on privilege.
Rule 104(b)
Relevance That Depends on a Fact. When the relevance of evidence depends on whether a fact exists, proof must be introduced sufficient to support a finding that the fact does exist. The court may admit the proposed evidence on the condition that the proof be introduced later.
Rule 104(c)
Conducting a Hearing So That the Jury Cannot Hear It. The court must conduct any hearing on a preliminary question so that the jury cannot hear it if:
