Fact Sheet
Federal Rules of Evidence Explained
The Federal Rules of Evidence dictate what can be entered into evidence in federal trials. They apply to both criminal and civil matters.
Purpose
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The Federal Rules of Evidence were enacted to ensure the fairness of trials. They prohibit juries from considering evidence that is irrelevant or unreliable. The Federal Rules of Evidence also ensure that only competent witnesses are allowed to testify.
History
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The Federal Rules of Evidence went into law in 1975. They were developed by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, along with his advisory committee, which was made of up judges, attorneys and professors.
Contents
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The Federal Rules of Evidence contain 11 Articles, each of which contains multiple rules. They include General Provisions; Judicial Notice; Presumptions in Civil Actions and Proceedings; Relevancy and its Limits; Privileges; Witnesses; Opinions and Expert Testimony; Hearsay; Authentication and Identification; Contents of Writings, Recordings and Photographs; and Miscellaneous Rules.
Amending the Rules
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The U.S. Supreme Court has the authority to modify the Federal Rules of Evidence. The U.S. Congress has the power to veto any of these changes.
Oversight
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Federal appellate courts are responsible for overseeing compliance with the Federal Rules of Evidence.
eHow Article: Federal Rules of Evidence Explained
