Federal Rules of Evidence · Article I. General Provisions

Rule 101. Scope; Definitions

Federal Rules of Evidence, official text as in effect December 1, 2024.

Offline in TrialMate

All 69 rules are searchable in TrialMate with no signal, which is what a courtroom usually leaves you. The amendment to Rule 801 takes effect in the app on December 1, 2026.

Get TrialMate on the App Store

(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.

(b) DEFINITIONS. In these rules:

(1) "civil case" means a civil action or proceeding;

(2) "criminal case" includes a criminal proceeding;

(3) "public office" includes a public agency;

(4) "record" includes a memorandum, report, or data compilation;

(5) a "rule prescribed by the Supreme Court" means a rule adopted by the Supreme Court under statutory authority; and

(6) a reference to any kind of written material or any other medium includes electronically stored information.

(As amended Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Oct. 1, 1987; Apr. 25, 1988, eff. Nov. 1, 1988; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993; Apr. 26, 2011, eff. Dec. 1, 2011.)

Source: Federal Rules of Evidence, December 1, 2024, Administrative Office of the United States Courts, uscourts.gov.

This page reproduces the official text of the Federal Rules of Evidence for reference. It is not legal advice and adds no commentary. It does not replace the official publication, local rules, or the law that applies in your court. Check the current official text before relying on it.