Texas Rules of Evidence

TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE

effective March 1, 2013

ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

RULE 101. TITLE AND SCOPE

(a) Title. These rules shall be known and cited as the Texas

Rules of Evidence.

(b) Scope. Except as otherwise provided by statute, these

rules govern civil and criminal proceedings (including

examining trials before magistrates) in all courts of Texas,

except small claims courts.

Hierarchical governance shall be in the following order:

the Constitution of the United States, those federal statutes

that control states under the supremacy clause, the

Constitution of Texas, the Code of Criminal Procedure

and the Penal Code, civil statutes, these rules, and the

common law. Where possible, inconsistency is to be

removed by reasonable construction.

(d) Special Rules of Applicability in Criminal Proceedings.

(1) Rules not applicable in certain proceedings. These

rules, except with respect to privileges, do not apply

in the following situations:

(A) the determination of questions of fact

preliminary to admissibility of evidence when

the issue is to be determined by the court under

Rule 104;

(B) proceedings before grand juries;

in extradition, rendition, or interstate detainer;

(D) a hearing under Code of Criminal Procedure

article 46.02, by the court out of the presence

of a jury, to determine whether there is

sufficient evidence of incompetency to require

a jury determination of the question of

incompetency;

(E) proceedings regarding bail except hearings to

deny, revoke or increase bail;

(F) a hearing on justification for pretrial detention

not involving bail;

(G) proceedings for the issuance of a search or

arrest warrant; or

(H) proceedings in a direct contempt determination.

(2) Applicability of privileges. These rules with respect

to privileges apply at all stages of all actions, cases,

and proceedings.

(3) Military justice hearings. Evidence in hearings under

the Texas Code of Military Justice, TEX. GOV’T

CODE §432.001-432.195, shall be governed by that

Code.

Notes and Comments

Comment to 1997 change: "Criminal proceedings" rather than

"criminal cases" is used since that was the terminology used in

the prior Rules of Criminal Evidence. In subpart (b), the

reference to "trials before magistrates" comes from prior

Criminal Rule 1101(a). In the prior Criminal Rules, both Rule

101 and Rule 1101 dealt with the same thing — the applicability

of the rules. Thus, Rules 101(c) and (d) have been written to

incorporate the provisions of former Criminal Rule 1101 and that

rule is omitted.

RULE 102. PURPOSE AND CONSTRUCTION

These rules shall be construed to secure fairness in

administration, elimination of unjustifiable expense and delay,

and promotion of growth and development of the law of evidence

to the end that the truth may be ascertained and proceedings

justly determined.

RULE 103. RULINGS ON EVIDENCE

(a) Effect of Erroneous Ruling. Error may not be predicated

upon a ruling which admits or excludes evidence unless a

substantial right of the party is affected, and

(1) Objection. In case the ruling is one admitting

evidence, a timely objection or motion to strike

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appears of record, stating the specific ground of

objection, if the specific ground was not apparent

from the context. W hen the court hears objections to

offered evidence out of the presence of the jury and

rules that such evidence be admitted, such objections

shall be deemed to apply to such evidence when it is

admitted before the jury without the necessity of

repeating those objections.

(2) Offer of proof. In case the ruling is one excluding

evidence, the substance of the evidence was made

known to the court by offer, or was apparent from

the context within which questions were asked.

(b) Record of Offer and Ruling. The offering party shall, as

soon as practicable, but before the court’s charge is read

to the jury, be allowed to make, in the absence of the jury,

its offer of proof. The court may add any other or further

statement which shows the character of the evidence, the

form in which it was offered, the objection made, and the

ruling thereon. The court may, or at the request of a party

shall, direct the making of an offer in question and answer

form.

conducted, to the extent practicable, so as to prevent

inadmissible evidence from being suggested to the jury by

any means, such as making statements or offers of proof or

asking questions in the hearing of the jury.

(d) Fundamental Error in Criminal Cases. In a criminal

case, nothing in these rules precludes taking notice of

fundamental errors affecting substantial rights although

they were not brought to the attention of the court.

Notes and Comments

Comment to 1997 change. The exception to the

requirement of an offer of proof for matters that were apparent

from the context within which questions were asked, found in

paragraph (a)(2), is now applicable to civil as well as criminal

cases.

RULE 104. PRELIM INARY QUESTIONS

(a) Questions of Admissibility Generally. Preliminary

questions concerning the qualification of a person to be a

witness, the existence of a privilege, or the admissibility of

evidence shall be determined by the court, subject to the

provisions of subdivision (b). In making its determination

the court is not bound by the rules of evidence except

those with respect to privileges.

(b) Relevancy Conditioned on Fact. When the relevancy of

evidence depends upon the fulfillment of a condition of

fact, the court shall admit it upon, or subject to, the

introduction of evidence sufficient to support a finding of

the fulfillment of the condition.

admissibility of a confession shall be conducted out of the

hearing of the jury. All other civil or criminal hearings on

preliminary matters shall be conducted out of the hearing

of the jury when the interests of justice so require or in a

criminal case when an accused is a witness and so

requests.

(d) Testimony by Accused Out of the Hearing of the Jury.

The accused in a criminal case does not, by testifying upon

a preliminary matter out of the hearing of the jury, become

subject to cross-examination as to other issues in the case.

(e) Weight and Credibility. This rule does not limit the right

of a party to introduce before the jury evidence relevant to

weight or credibility.

RULE 105. LIM ITED ADM ISSIBILITY

(a) Limiting Instruction. When evidence which is

admissible as to one party or for one purpose but not

admissible as to another party or for another purpose is

admitted, the court, upon request, shall restrict the

evidence to its proper scope and instruct the jury

accordingly; but, in the absence of such request the court’s

action in admitting such evidence without limitation shall

not be a ground for complaint on appeal.

(b) Offering Evidence for Limited Purpose. When

evidence referred to in paragraph (a) is excluded, such

exclusion shall not be a ground for complaint on appeal

unless the proponent expressly offers the evidence for its

limited, admissible purpose or limits its offer to the party

against whom it is admissible.

RULE 106. REM AINDER OF O R RELATED

WRITINGS OR RECORDED STATEM ENTS

When a writing or recorded statement or part thereof is

introduced by a party, an adverse party may at that time

introduce any other part or any other writing or recorded

statement which ought in fairness to be considered

contemporaneously with it. "Writing or recorded statement"

includes depositions.

RULE 107. RULE OF OPTIO NAL COM PLETENESS

W hen part of an act, declaration, conversation, writing or

recorded statement is given in evidence by one party, the whole

on the same subject may be inquired into by the other, and any

other act, declaration, writing or recorded statement which is

necessary to make it fully understood or to explain the same may

TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE Page 3

also be given in evidence, as when a letter is read, all letters on

the same subject between the same parties may be given.

"W riting or recorded statement" includes depositions.

Notes and Comments

Comment to 1997 change: This rule is the former Criminal

Rule 107 except that the example regarding "when a letter is

read" has been relocated in the rule so as to more accurately

indicate the provision it explains. While this rule appeared only

in the prior criminal rules, it is made applicable to civil cases

because it accurately reflects the common law rule of optional

completeness in civil cases.

ARTICLE II. JUDICIAL NOTICE

RULE 201. JUDICIAL NOTICE OF ADJUDICATIVE

FACTS

(a) Scope of Rule. This rule governs only judicial notice of

adjudicative facts.

(b) Kinds of Facts. A judicially noticed fact must be one not

subject to reasonable dispute in that it is either

(1) generally known within the territorial jurisdiction of

the trial court or (2) capable of accurate and ready

determination by resort to sources whose accuracy cannot

reasonably be questioned.

whether requested or not.

(d) When M andatory. A court shall take judicial notice if

requested by a party and supplied with the necessary

information.

(e) Opportunity to Be Heard. A party is entitled upon

timely request to an opportunity to be heard as to the

propriety of taking judicial notice and the tenor of the

matter noticed. In the absence of prior notification, the

request may be made after judicial notice has been taken.

(f) Time of Taking Notice. Judicial notice may be taken at

any stage of the proceeding.

(g) Instructing Jury. In civil cases, the court shall instruct

the jury to accept as conclusive any fact judicially noticed.

In criminal cases, the court shall instruct the jury that it

may, but is not required to, accept as conclusive any fact

judicially noticed.

RULE 202. DETERM INATION OF LAW OF OTHER

STATES

A court upon its own motion may, or upon the motion of a party

shall, take judicial notice of the constitutions, public statutes,

rules, regulations, ordinances, court decisions, and common law

of every other state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States.

A party requesting that judicial notice be taken of such matter

shall furnish the court sufficient information to enable it properly

to comply with the request, and shall give all parties such notice,

if any, as the court may deem necessary, to enable all parties

fairly to prepare to meet the request. A party is entitled upon

timely request to an opportunity to be heard as to the propriety of

taking judicial notice and the tenor of the matter noticed. In the

absence of prior notification, the request may be made after

judicial notice has been taken. Judicial notice of such matters

may be taken at any stage of the proceeding. The court’s

determination shall be subject to review as a ruling on a question

of law.

RULE 203. DETERM INATION OF THE LAWS OF

FOREIGN COUNTRIES

A party who intends to raise an issue concerning the law of a

foreign country shall give notice in the pleadings or other

reasonable written notice, and at least 30 days prior to the date of

trial such party shall furnish all parties copies of any written

materials or sources that the party intends to use as proof of the

foreign law. If the materials or sources were originally written

in a language other than English, the party intending to rely upon

them shall furnish all parties both a copy of the foreign language

text and an English translation. The court, in determining the law

of a foreign nation, may consider any material or source, whether

or not submitted by a party or admissible under the rules of

evidence, including but not limited to affidavits, testimony,

briefs, and treatises. If the court considers sources other than

those submitted by a party, it shall give all parties notice and a

reasonable opportunity to comment on the sources and to submit

further materials for review by the court. The court, and not a

jury, shall determine the laws of foreign countries. The court’s

determination shall be subject to review as a ruling on a question

of law.

RULE 204. DETERM INATION OF TEXAS CITY AND

COUNTY ORDINANCES, THE CONTENTS OF THE

TEXAS REGISTER, AND THE RULES O F AGENCIES

PUBLISHED IN THE ADM INISTRATIVE CODE

A court upon its own motion may, or upon the motion of a party

shall, take judicial notice of the ordinances of municipalities and

counties of Texas, of the contents of the Texas Register, and of

the codified rules of the agencies published in the Administrative

Code. Any party requesting that judicial notice be taken of such

matter shall furnish the court sufficient information to enable it

properly to comply with the request, and shall give all parties

such notice, if any, as the court may deem necessary, to enable

all parties fairly to prepare to meet the request. A party is

entitled upon timely request to an opportunity to be heard as to

the propriety of taking judicial notice and the tenor of the matter

Page 4 TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE

noticed. In the absence of prior notification, the request may be

made after judicial notice has been taken. The court’s

determination shall be subject to review as a ruling on a question

of law.

ARTICLE III. PRESUM PTIONS

[No rules adopted at this time.]

ARTICLE IV. RELEVANCY AND ITS LIMITS

RULE 401. DEFINITION OF "RELEVANT

EVIDENCE"

"Relevant evidence" means evidence having any tendency to

make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the

determination of the action more probable or less probable than

it would be without the evidence.

RULE 402. RELEVANT EVIDENCE GENERALLY

ADM ISSIBLE; IRRELEVANT EVIDENCE

INADM ISSIBLE

All relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided

by Constitution, by statute, by these rules, or by other rules

prescribed pursuant to statutory authority. Evidence which is not

relevant is inadmissible.

RULE 403. EXCLUSION OF RELEVANT EVIDENCE

ON SPECIAL GROUNDS

Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative

value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair

prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by

considerations of undue delay, or needless presentation of

cumulative evidence.

RULE 404. CHARACTER EVIDENCE NOT

ADM ISSIBLE TO PROVE CONDUCT; EXCEPTIONS;

OTHER CRIM ES

(a) Character Evidence Generally. Evidence of a person’s

character or character trait is not admissible for the

purpose of proving action in conformity therewith on a

particular occasion, except:

(1) Character of accused. Evidence of a pertinent

character trait offered:

(A) by an accused in a criminal case, or by the

prosecution to rebut the same, or

(B) by a party accused in a civil case of conduct

involving moral turpitude, or by the accusing

party to rebut the same;

(2) Character of victim. In a criminal case and subject

to Rule 412, evidence of a pertinent character trait of

the victim of the crime offered by an accused, or by

the prosecution to rebut the same, or evidence of

peaceable character of the victim offered by the

prosecution in a homicide case to rebut evidence that

the victim was the first aggressor; or in a civil case,

evidence of character for violence of the alleged

victim of assaultive conduct offered on the issue of

self-defense by a party accused of the assaultive

conduct, or evidence of peaceable character to rebut

the same;

(3) Character of witness. Evidence of the character of

a witness, as provided in rules 607, 608 and 609.

(b) Other Crimes, W rongs or Acts. Evidence of other

crimes, wrongs or acts is not admissible to prove the

character of a person in order to show action in conformity

therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other

purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent,

preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of

mistake or accident, provided that upon timely request by

the accused in a criminal case, reasonable notice is given

in advance of trial of intent to introduce in the State’s

case-in-chief such evidence other than that arising in the

same transaction.

RULE 405. M ETHO DS OF PROVING CHARACTER

(a) Reputation or Opinion. In all cases in which evidence of

a person’s character or character trait is admissible, proof

may be made by testimony as to reputation or by testimony

in the form of an opinion. In a criminal case, to be

qualified to testify at the guilt stage of trial concerning the

character or character trait of an accused, a witness must

have been familiar with the reputation, or with the

underlying facts or information upon which the opinion is

based, prior to the day of the offense. In all cases where

testimony is admitted under this rule, on cross-examination

inquiry is allowable into relevant specific instances of

conduct.

(b) Specific Instances of Conduct. In cases in which a

person’s character or character trait is an essential element

of a charge, claim or defense, proof may also be made of

specific instances of that person’s conduct.

RULE 406. HABIT; ROUTINE PRACTICE

Evidence of the habit of a person or of the routine practice of an

organization, whether corroborated or not and regardless of the

TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE Page 5

presence of eyewitnesses is relevant to prove that the conduct of

the person or organization on a particular occasion was in

conformity with the habit or routine practice.

RULE 407. SUBSEQUENT REM EDIAL M EASURES;

NOTIFICATIO N OF DEFECT

(a) Subsequent Remedial M easures. W hen, after an injury

or harm allegedgly caused by an event, measures are taken

that, if taken previously, would have made the injury or

harm less likely to occur, evidence of the subsequent

remedial measures is not admissible to prove negligence,

culpable conduct, a defect in product, a defect in product's

design, or a need for a warning or instruction. This rule

does not require the exclusion of evidence of subsequent

remedial measures when offered for another purpose, such

as proving ownership, control, or feasibility of

precautionary measures, if controverted, or impeachment.

(b) Notification of Defect. A written notification by a

manufacturer of any defect in a product produced by such

manufacturer to purchasers thereof is admissible against

the manufacturer on the issue of existence of the defect to

the extent that it is relevant.

RULE 408. COM PRO M ISE AND OFFERS TO

COM PROM ISE

Evidence of (1) furnishing or offering or promising to furnish or

(2) accepting or offering or promising to accept, a valuable

consideration in compromising or attempting to compromise a

claim which was disputed as to either validity or amount is not

admissible to prove liability for or invalidity of the claim or its

amount. Evidence of conduct or statements made in compromise

negotiations is likewise not admissible. This rule does not

require the exclusion of any evidence otherwise discoverable

merely because it is presented in the course of compromise

negotiations. This rule also does not require exclusion when the

evidence is offered for another purpose, such as proving bias or

prejudice or interest of a witness or a party, negativing a

contention of undue delay, or proving an effort to obstruct a

criminal investigation or prosecution.

RULE 409. PAYM ENT OF M EDICAL AND SIM ILAR

EXPENSES

Evidence of furnishing or offering or promising to pay medical,

hospital, or similar expenses occasioned by an injury is not

admissible to prove liability for the injury.

RULE 410. INADM ISSIBILITY OF PLEAS, PLEA

DISCUSSIONS AND RELATED STATEM ENTS

Except as otherwise provided in this rule, evidence of the

following is not admissible against the defendant who made the

plea or was a participant in the plea discussions:

(1) a plea of guilty that was later withdrawn;

(2) in civil cases, a plea of nolo contendere, and in

criminal cases, a plea of nolo contendere that was

later withdrawn;

(3) any statement made in the course of any proceedings

under Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal

Procedure or comparable state procedure regarding,

in a civil case, either a plea of guilty that was later

withdrawn or a plea of nolo contendere, or in a

criminal case, either a plea of guilty that was later

withdrawn or a plea of nolo contendere that was later

withdrawn; or

(4) any statement made in the course of plea discussions

with an attorney for the prosecuting authority that

does not result in a plea of guilty or a plea of nolo

contendere or that results in a plea, later withdrawn,

of guilty or nolo contendere.

However, such a statement is admissible in any proceeding

wherein another statement made in the course of the same plea or

plea discussions has been introduced and the statement ought in

fairness be considered contemporaneously with it.

RULE 411. LIABILITY INSURANCE

Evidence that a person was or was not insured against liability is

not admissible upon the issue whether the person acted

negligently or otherwise wrongfully. This rule does not require

the exclusion of evidence of insurance against liability when

offered for another issue, such as proof of agency, ownership, or

control, if disputed, or bias or prejudice of a witness.

RULE 412. EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS SEXUAL

CONDUCT IN CRIM INAL CASES

(a) Reputation or Opinion Evidence. In a prosecution for

sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault, or attempt to

commit sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault,

reputation or opinion evidence of the past sexual behavior

of an alleged victim of such crime is not admissible.

(b) Evidence of Specific Instances. In a prosecution for

sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault, or attempt to

commit sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault,

evidence of specific instances of an alleged victim’s past

sexual behavior is also not admissible, unless:

(1) such evidence is admitted in accordance with

paragraphs (c) and (d) of this rule;

Page 6 TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE

(2) it is evidence:

(A) that is necessary to rebut or explain scientific

or medical evidence offered by the State;

(B) of past sexual behavior with the accused and is

offered by the accused upon the issue of

whether the alleged victim consented to the

sexual behavior which is the basis of the

offense charged;

victim;

(D) is admissible under Rule 609; or

(E) that is constitutionally required to be admitted;

and

(3) its probative value outweighs the danger of unfair

prejudice.

proposes to introduce any documentary evidence or to ask

any question, either by direct examination or cross-

examination of any witness, concerning specific instances

of the alleged victim’s past sexual behavior, the defendant

must inform the court out of the hearing of the jury prior

to introducing any such evidence or asking any such

question. After this notice, the court shall conduct an in

camera hearing, recorded by the court reporter, to

determine whether the proposed evidence is admissible

under paragraph (b) of this rule. The court shall determine

what evidence is admissible and shall accordingly limit the

questioning. The defendant shall not go outside these

limits or refer to any evidence ruled inadmissible in

camera without prior approval of the court without the

presence of the jury.

(d) Record Sealed. The court shall seal the record of the in

camera hearing required in paragraph (c) of this rule for

delivery to the appellate court in the event of an appeal.

ARTICLE V. PRIVILEGES

RULE 501. PRIVILEGES RECOGNIZED ONLY AS

PROVIDED

Except as otherwise provided by Constitution, by statute, by

these rules, or by other rules prescribed pursuant to statutory

authority, no person has a privilege to:

(1) refuse to be a witness;

(2) refuse to disclose any matter;

(3) refuse to produce any object or writing; or

(4) prevent another from being a witness or disclosing

any matter or producing any object or writing.

RULE 502. REQUIRED REPORTS PRIVILEGED BY

STATUTE

A person, corporation, association, or other organization or

entity, either public or private, making a return or report required

by law to be made has a privilege to refuse to disclose and to

prevent any other person from disclosing the return or report, if

the law requiring it to be made so provides. A public officer or

agency to whom a return or report is required by law to be made

has a privilege to refuse to disclose the return or report if the law

requiring it to be made so provides. No privilege exists under

this rule in actions involving perjury, false statements, fraud in

the return or report, or other failure to comply with the law in

question.

RULE 503. LAWYER-CLIENT PRIVILEGE

(a) Definitions. As used in this rule:

(1) A "client" is a person, public officer, or corporation,

association, or other organization or entity either

public or private, who is rendered professional legal

services by a lawyer, or who consults a lawyer with

a view to obtaining professional legal services from

that lawyer.

(2) A “representative of the client” is (i) a person having

authority to obtain professional legal services, or to

act on advice thereby rendered, on behalf of the

client or (ii) any other person who, for the purpose of

effectuating legal representation for the client, makes

or receives a confidential communication while

acting in the scope of employment for the client.

(3) A "lawyer" is a person authorized, or reasonably

believed by the client to be authorized, to engage in

the practice of law in any state or nation.

(4) A "representative of the lawyer" is:

(A) one employed by the lawyer to assist the lawyer

in the rendition of professional legal services;

(B) an accountant who is reasonably necessary for

the lawyer’s rendition of professional legal

services.

(5) A communication is "confidential" if not intended to

be disclosed to third persons other than those to

whom disclosure is made in furtherance of the

TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE Page 7

rendition of professional legal services to the client

or those reasonably necessary for the transmission of

the communication.

(b) Rules of Privilege.

(1) General rule of privilege. A client has a privilege to

refuse to disclose and to prevent any other person

from disclosing confidential communications made

for the purpose of facilitating the rendition of

professional legal services to the client:

(A) between the client or a representative of the

client and the client’s lawyer or a

representative of the lawyer;

(B) between the lawyer and the lawyer’s

representative;

the client’s lawyer or a representative of the

lawyer, to a lawyer or a representative of a

lawyer representing another party in a pending

action and concerning a matter of common

interest therein;

(D) between representatives of the client or

between the client and a representative of the

client; or

(E) among lawyers and their representatives

representing the same client.

(2) Special rule of privilege in criminal cases. In

criminal cases, a client has a privilege to prevent the

lawyer or lawyer’s representative from disclosing

any other fact which came to the knowledge of the

lawyer or the lawyer’s representative by reason of

the attorney-client relationship.

claimed by the client, the client’s guardian or conservator,

the personal representative of a deceased client, or the

successor, trustee, or similar representative of a

corporation, association, or other organization, whether or

not in existence. The person who was the lawyer or the

lawyer’s representative at the time of the communication

is presumed to have authority to claim the privilege but

only on behalf of the client.

(d) Exceptions. There is no privilege under this rule:

(1) Furtherance of crime or fraud. If the services of the

lawyer were sought or obtained to enable or aid

anyone to commit or plan to commit what the client

knew or reasonably should have known to be a crime

or fraud;

(2) Claimants through same deceased client. As to a

communication relevant to an issue between parties

who claim through the same deceased client,

regardless of whether the claims are by testate or

intestate succession or by inter vivos transactions;

(3) Breach of duty by a lawyer or client. As to a

communication relevant to an issue of breach of duty

by a lawyer to the client or by a client to the lawyer;

(4) Document attested by a lawyer. As to a

communication relevant to an issue concerning an

attested document to which the lawyer is an attesting

witness; or

(5) Joint clients. As to a communication relevant to a

matter of common interest between or among two or

more clients if the communication was made by any

of them to a lawyer retained or consulted in common,

when offered in an action between or among any of

the clients.

RULE 504. HUSBAND-WIFE PRIVILEGES

(a) Confidential Communication Privilege.

(1) Definition. A communication is confidential if it is

made privately by any person to the person’s spouse

and it is not intended for disclosure to any other

person.

(2) Rule of privilege. A person, whether or not a party,

or the guardian or representative of an incompetent

or deceased person, has a privilege during marriage

and afterwards to refuse to disclose and to prevent

an o th e r fro m d is c lo s in g a c o n fi d enti a l

communication made to the person’s spouse while

they were married.

(3) Who may claim the privilege. The confidential

communication privilege may be claimed by the

person or the person’s guardian or representative, or

by the spouse on the person’s behalf. The authority

of the spouse to do so is presumed.

(4) Exceptions. There is no confidential communication

privilege:

(A) Furtherance of crime or fraud. If the

communication was made, in whole or in part,

to enable or aid anyone to commit or plan to

commit a crime or fraud.

(B) Proceeding between spouses in civil cases. In

(A) a proceeding brought by or on behalf of

one spouse against the other spouse, or (B) a

proceeding between a surviving spouse and a

Page 8 TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE

person who claims through the deceased

spouse, regardless of whether the claim is by

testate or intestate succession or by inter vivos

transaction.

proceeding in which the party is accused of

conduct which, if proved, is a crime against the

person of the spouse, any minor child, or any

member of the household of either spouse, or,

in a criminal proceeding, when the offense

charged is under Section 25.01 Penal Code

(Bigamy).

(D) Commitment or similar proceeding. In a

proceeding to commit either spouse or

otherwise to place that person or that person’s

property, or both, under the control of another

because of an alleged mental or physical

condition.

(E) Proceeding to establish competence. In a

proceeding brought by or on behalf of either

spouse to establish competence.

(b) Privilege not to Testify in Criminal Case.

(1) Rule of privilege. In a criminal case, the spouse of

the accused has a privilege not to be called as a

witness for the state. This rule does not prohibit the

spouse from testifying voluntarily for the state, even

over objection by the accused. A spouse who

testifies on behalf of an accused is subject to cross-

examination as provided in rule 610(b).

(2) Failure to call as witness. Failure by an accused to

call the accused’s spouse as a witness, where other

evidence indicates that the spouse could testify to

relevant matters, is a proper subject of comment by

counsel.

(3) Who may claim the privilege. The privilege not to

testify may be claimed by the person or the person’s

guardian or representative but not by that person’s

spouse.

(4) Exceptions. The privilege of a person’s spouse not

to be called as a witness for the state does not apply:

(A) Certain criminal proceedings. In any

proceeding in which the person is charged with

a crime against the person’s spouse, a member

of the household of either spouse, or any

minor, or in an offense charged under Section

25.01, Penal Code (Bigamy).

(B) Matters occurring prior to marriage. As to

matters occurring prior to the marriage.

Notes and Comments

Comment to 1997 change: The rule eliminates the spousal

testimonial privilege for prosecutions in which the testifying

spouse is the alleged victim of a crime by the accused. This is

intended to be consistent with Code of Criminal Procedure article

38.10, effective September 1, 1995.

RULE 505. COM M UNICATIONS TO M EM BERS OF

THE CLERGY

(a) Definitions. As used in this rule:

(1) A "member of the clergy" is a minister, priest, rabbi,

accredited Christian Science Practitioner, or other

similar functionary of a religious organization or an

individual reasonably believed so to be by the person

consulting with such individual.

(2) A communication is "confidential" if made privately

and not intended for further disclosure except to

other persons present in furtherance of the purpose

of the communication.

(b) General Rule of Privilege. A person has a privilege to

refuse to disclose and to prevent another from disclosing

a confidential communication by the person to a member

of the clergy in the member’s professional character as

spiritual adviser.

claimed by the person, by the person’s guardian or

conservator, or by the personal representative of the

person if the person is deceased. The member of the

clergy to whom the communication was made is presumed

to have authority to claim the privilege but only on behalf

of the communicant.

RULE 506. POLITICAL VOTE

Every person has a privilege to refuse to disclose the tenor of the

person’s vote at a political election conducted by secret ballot

unless the vote was cast illegally.

RULE 507. TRADE SECRETS

A person has a privilege, which may be claimed by the person or

the person’s agent or employee, to refuse to disclose and to

prevent other persons from disclosing a trade secret owned by the

person, if the allowance of the privilege will not tend to conceal

fraud or otherwise work injustice. W hen disclosure is directed,

the judge shall take such protective measure as the interests of

the holder of the privilege and of the parties and the furtherance

of justice may require.

TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE Page 9

RULE 508. IDENTITY OF INFORMER

(a) Rule of Privilege. The United States or a state or

subdivision thereof has a privilege to refuse to disclose the

identity of a person who has furnished information relating

to or assisting in an investigation of a possible violation of

a law to a law enforcement officer or member of a

legislative committee or its staff conducting an

investigation.

(b) Who M ay Claim. The privilege may be claimed by an

appropriate representative of the public entity to which the

information was furnished, except the privilege shall not

be allowed in criminal cases if the state objects.

(1) Voluntary disclosure; informer a witness. No

privilege exists under this rule if the identity of the

informer or the informer’s interest in the subject

matter of the communication has been disclosed to

those who would have cause to resent the

communication by a holder of the privilege or by the

informer’s own action, or if the informer appears as

a witness for the public entity.

(2) Testimony on merits. If it appears from the evidence

in the case or from other showing by a party that an

informer may be able to give testimony necessary to

a fair determination of a material issue on the merits

in a civil case to which the public entity is a party, or

on guilt or innocence in a criminal case, and the

public entity invokes the privilege, the court shall

give the public entity an opportunity to show in

camera facts relevant to determining whether the

informer can, in fact, supply that testimony. The

showing will ordinarily be in the form of affidavits,

but the court may direct that testimony be taken if it

finds that the matter cannot be resolved satisfactorily

upon affidavit. If the court finds that there is a

reasonable probability that the informer can give the

testimony, and the public entity elects not to disclose

the informer’s identity, the court in a civil case may

make any order that justice requires, and in a

criminal case shall, on motion of the defendant, and

may, on the court’s own motion, dismiss the charges

as to which the testimony would relate. Evidence

submitted to the court shall be sealed and preserved

to be made available to the appellate court in the

event of an appeal, and the contents shall not

otherwise be revealed without consent of the public

entity. All counsel and parties shall be permitted to

be present at every stage of proceedings under this

subdivision except a showing in camera, at which no

counsel or party shall be permitted to be present.

(3) Legality of obtaining evidence. If information from

an informer is relied upon to establish the legality of

the means by which evidence was obtained and the

court is not satisfied that the information was

received from an informer reasonably believed to be

reliable or credible, it may require the identity of the

informer to be disclosed. The court shall, on request

of the public entity, direct that the disclosure be

made in camera. All counsel and parties concerned

with the issue of legality shall be permitted to be

present at every stage of proceedings under this

subdivision except a disclosure in camera, at which

no counsel or party shall be permitted to be present.

If disclosure of the identity of the informer is made

in camera, the record thereof shall be sealed and

preserved to be made available to the appellate court

in the event of an appeal, and the contents shall not

otherwise be revealed without consent of the public

entity.

RULE 509. PHYSICIAN-PATIENT PRIVILEGE

(a) Definitions. As used in this rule:

(1) A "patient" means any person who consults or is

seen by a physician to receive medical care.

(2) A "physician" means a person licensed to practice

medicine in any state or nation, or reasonably

believed by the patient so to be.

(3) A communication is "confidential" if not intended to

be disclosed to third persons other than those present

to further the interest of the patient in the

consultation, examination, or interview, or those

reasonably necessary for the transmission of the

communication, or those who are participating in the

diagnosis and treatment under the direction of the

physician, including members of the patient’s family.

(b) Limited Privilege in Criminal Proceedings. There is no

physician-patient privilege in criminal proceedings.

However, a communication to any person involved in the

treatment or examination of alcohol or drug abuse by a

person being treated voluntarily or being examined for

admission to treatment for alcohol or drug abuse is not

admissible in a criminal proceeding.

civil proceeding:

(1) Confidential communications between a physician

and a patient, relative to or in connection with any

professional services rendered by a physician to the

patient are privileged and may not be disclosed.

(2) Records of the identity, diagnosis, evaluation, or

treatment of a patient by a physician that are created

Page 10 TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE

or maintained by a physician are confidential and

privileged and may not be disclosed.

(3) The provisions of this rule apply even if the patient

received the services of a physician prior to the

enactment of the Medical Liability and Insurance

Improvement Act, TEX. REV . CIV . STAT. art. 4590i.

(d) Who May Claim the Privilege in a Civil Proceeding. In

a civil proceeding:

(1) The privilege of confidentiality may be claimed by

the patient or by a representative of the patient acting

on the patient’s behalf.

(2) The physician may claim the privilege of

confidentiality, but only on behalf of the patient.

The authority to do so is presumed in the absence of

evidence to the contrary.

(e) Exceptions in a Civil Proceeding. Exceptions to

confidentiality or privilege in administrative proceedings

or in civil proceedings in court exist:

(1) when the proceedings are brought by the patient

against a physician, including but not limited to

malpractice proceedings, and in any license

revocation proceeding in which the patient is a

complaining witness and in which disclosure is

relevant to the claims or defense of a physician;

(2) when the patient or someone authorized to act on the

patient’s behalf submits a written consent to the

release of any privileged information, as provided in

paragraph (f);

(3) when the purpose of the proceedings is to

substantiate and collect on a claim for medical

services rendered to the patient;

(4) as to a communication or record relevant to an issue

of the physical, mental or emotional condition of a

patient in any proceeding in which any party relies

upon the condition as a part of the party’s claim or

defense;

(5) in any disciplinary investigation or proceeding of a

physician conducted under or pursuant to the

Medical Practice Act, TEX. REV. CIV. STAT. art.

4495b, or of a registered nurse under or pursuant to

TEX. REV. CIV . STAT. arts. 4525, 4527a, 4527b, and

4527c, provided that the board shall protect the

identity of any patient whose medical records are

examined, except for those patients covered under

subparagraph (e)(1) or those patients who have

submitted written consent to the release of their

medical records as provided by paragraph (f);

(6) in an involuntary civil commitment proceeding,

proceeding for court-ordered treatment, or probable

cause hearing under

(A) the Texas Mental Health Code, TEX. HEALTH

& SAFETY CODE §571.001-571.026;

(B) the Persons with Mental Retardation Act, TEX.

HEA LTH & SAFETY CODE §591.001-591.025;

(7) in any proceeding regarding the abuse or neglect, or

the cause of any abuse or neglect, of the resident of

an "institution" as defined in TEX. HEALTH & SA FETY

CODE §242.002.

(f) Consent.

(1) Consent for the release of privileged information

must be in writing and signed by the patient, or a

parent or legal guardian if the patient is a minor, or

a legal guardian if the patient has been adjudicated

incompetent to manage personal affairs, or an

attorney ad litem appointed for the patient, as

authorized by the Texas Mental Health Code, TEX .

HEA LTH & SAFETY CODE § 571.001-571.026; the

Persons with Mental Retardation Act; TEX. HEALTH

& SAFETY COD E §591.001-591.025; Chapter V,

Texas Probate Code; and TEX. FAM . COD E §107.011;

or a personal representative if the patient is

deceased, provided that the written consent specifies

the following:

(A) the information or medical records to be

covered by the release;

(B) the reasons or purposes for the release; and

released.

(2) The patient, or other person authorized to consent,

has the right to withdraw consent to the release of

any information. W ithdrawal of consent does not

affect any information disclosed prior to the written

notice of the withdrawal.

(3) Any person who received information made

privileged by this rule may disclose the information

to others only to the extent consistent with the

authorized purposes for which consent to release the

information was obtained.

Notes and Comments

Comment to 1997 change: Prior Criminal Rules of Evidence 509

and 510 are now in subparagraph (b) of this Rule. Former

paragraph (d)(6) of the Civil Evidence Rules, regarding

TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE Page 11

disclosures in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship, is

omitted.

RULE 510. CONFIDENTIALITY OF M ENTAL

HEALTH INFORM ATION IN CIVIL CASES

(a) Definitions. As used in this rule:

(1) "Professional" means any person:

(A) authorized to practice medicine in any state or

nation;

(B) licensed or certified by the State of Texas in

the diagnosis, evaluation or treatment of any

mental or emotional disorder;

drug abusers; or

(D) reasonably believed by the patient to be

included in any of the preceding categories.

(2) "Patient" means any person who:

(A) consults, or is interviewed by, a professional

for purposes of diagnosis, evaluation, or

treatment of any mental or emotional condition

or disorder, including alcoholism and drug

addiction; or

(B) is being treated voluntarily or being examined

for admission to voluntary treatment for drug

abuse.

(3) A representative of the patient is:

(A) any person bearing the written consent of the

patient;

(B) a parent if the patient is a minor;

incompetent to manage the patient’s personal

affairs; or

(D) the patient’s personal representative if the

patient is deceased.

(4) A communication is "confidential" if not intended to

be disclosed to third persons other than those present

to further the interest of the patient in the diagnosis,

examination, evaluation, or treatment, or those

reasonably necessary for the transmission of the

communication, or those who are participating in the

diagnosis, examination, evaluation, or treatment

under the direction of the professional, including

members of the patient’s family.

(b) General Rule of Privilege.

(1) Communication between a patient and a professional

is confidential and shall not be disclosed in civil

cases.

(2) Records of the identity, diagnosis, evaluation, or

treatment of a patient which are created or

maintained by a professional are confidential and

shall not be disclosed in civil cases.

(3) Any person who received information from

confidential communications or records as defined

herein, other than a representative of the patient

acting on the patient’s behalf, shall not disclose in

civil cases the information except to the extent that

disclosure is consistent with the authorized purposes

for which the information was first obtained.

(4) The provisions of this rule apply even if the patient

received the services of a professional prior to the

enactment of TEX. REV. CIV. STAT. art. 5561h

(Vernon Supp. 1984)(now codified as TEX. HEALTH

& SAFETY CODE §611.001-611.008).

(1) The privilege of confidentiality may be claimed by

the patient or by a representative of the patient acting

on the patient’s behalf.

(2) The professional may claim the privilege of

confidentiality but only on behalf of the patient. The

authority to do so is presumed in the absence of

evidence to the contrary.

(d) Exceptions. Exceptions to the privilege in court or

administrative proceedings exist:

(1) when the proceedings are brought by the patient

against a professional, including but not limited to

malpractice proceedings, and in any license

revocation proceedings in which the patient is a

complaining witness and in which disclosure is

relevant to the claim or defense of a professional;

(2) when the patient waives the right in writing to the

privilege of confidentiality of any information, or

when a representative of the patient acting on the

patient’s behalf submits a written waiver to the

confidentiality privilege;

(3) when the purpose of the proceeding is to substantiate

and collect on a claim for mental or emotional health

services rendered to the patient;

Page 12 TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE

(4) when the judge finds that the patient after having

been previously informed that communications

would not be privileged, has made communications

to a professional in the course of a court-ordered

examination relating to the patient’s mental or

emotional condition or disorder, providing that such

communications shall not be privileged only with

respect to issues involving the patient’s mental or

emotional health. On granting of the order, the court,

in determining the extent to which any disclosure of

all or any part of any communication is necessary,

shall impose appropriate safeguards against

unauthorized disclosure;

(5) as to a communication or record relevant to an issue

of the physical, mental or emotional condition of a

patient in any proceeding in which any party relies

upon the condition as a part of the party’s claim or

defense;

(6) in any proceeding regarding the abuse or neglect, or

the cause of any abuse or neglect, of the resident of

an institution as defined in TEX. HEALTH AND

SAFETY CO D E §242.002.

Notes and Comments

This rule only governs disclosures of patient-professional

communications in judicial or administrative proceedings.

Whether a professional may or must disclose such

communications in other circumstances is governed by TEX.

HEALTH & SAFETY CO D E §611.001-611.008. Former paragraph

(d)(6) of the Civil Evidence Rules, regarding disclosures in a suit

affecting the parent-child relationship, is omitted.

RULE 511. W AIVER O F PRIVILEGE BY

VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE

A person upon whom these rules confer a privilege against

disclosure waives the privilege if:

(1) the person or a predecessor of the person while

holder of the privilege voluntarily discloses or

consents to disclosure of any significant part of the

privileged matter unless such disclosure itself is

privileged; or

(2) the person or a representative of the person calls a

person to whom privileged communications have

been made to testify as to the person’s character or

character trait insofar as such communications are

relevant to such character or character trait.

RULE 512. PRIVILEGED M ATTER DISCLOSED

UNDER COM PULSION OR WITHOUT

OPPORTUNITY TO CLAIM PRIVILEGE

A claim of privilege is not defeated by a disclosure which was

(1) compelled erroneously or (2) made without opportunity to

claim the privilege.

RULE 513. COM M ENT UPON OR INFERENCE FROM

CLAIM OF PRIVILEGE; INSTRUCTION

(a) Comment or Inference Not Permitted. Except as

permitted in Rule 504(b)(2), the claim of a privilege,

whether in the present proceeding or upon a prior

occasion, is not a proper subject of comment by judge or

counsel, and no inference may be drawn therefrom.

(b) Claiming Privilege W ithout K nowledge of Jury. In

jury cases, proceedings shall be conducted, to the extent

practicable, so as to facilitate the making of claims of

privilege without the knowledge of the jury.

Cases. Paragraphs (a) and (b) shall not apply with respect

to a party’s claim, in the present civil proceeding, of the

privilege against self-incrimination.

(d) Jury Instruction. Except as provided in Rule 504(b)(2)

and in paragraph (c) of this Rule, upon request any party

against whom the jury might draw an adverse inference

from a claim of privilege is entitled to an instruction that

no inference may be drawn therefrom.

Notes and Comments

Comment to 1997 change. Subdivision (d) regarding a

party’s entitlement to a jury instruction about a claim of privilege

is made applicable to civil cases.

ARTICLE VI. W ITNESSES

RULE 601. COM PETENCY AND INCOM PETENCY OF

WITNESSES

(a) General Rule. Every person is competent to be a witness

except as otherwise provided in these rules. The following

witnesses shall be incompetent to testify in any proceeding

subject to these rules:

(1) Insane persons. Insane persons who, in the opinion

of the court, are in an insane condition of mind at the

time when they are offered as a witness, or who, in

the opinion of the court, were in that condition when

the events happened of which they are called to

testify.

(2) Children. Children or other persons who, after being

examined by the court, appear not to possess

TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE Page 13

sufficient intellect to relate transactions with respect

to which they are interrogated.

(b) "Dead M an Rule" in Civil Actions. In civil actions by

or against executors, administrators, or guardians, in which

judgment may be rendered for or against them as such,

neither party shall be allowed to testify against the others

as to any oral statement by the testator, intestate or ward,

unless that testimony to the oral statement is corroborated

or unless the witness is called at the trial to testify thereto

by the opposite party; and, the provisions of this article

shall extend to and include all actions by or against the

heirs or legal representatives of a decedent based in whole

or in part on such oral statement. Except for the

foregoing, a witness is not precluded from giving evidence

of or concerning any transaction with, any conversations

with, any admissions of, or statement by, a deceased or

insane party or person merely because the witness is a

party to the action or a person interested in the event

thereof. The trial court shall, in a proper case, where this

rule prohibits an interested party or witness from

testifying, instruct the jury that such person is not

permitted by the law to give evidence relating to any oral

statement by the deceased or ward unless the oral

statement is corroborated or unless the party or witness is

called at the trial by the opposite party.

RULE 602. LACK OF PERSO NAL K NOW LEDGE

A witness may not testify to a matter unless evidence is

introduced sufficient to support a finding that the witness has

personal knowledge of the matter. Evidence to prove personal

knowledge may, but need not, consist of the testimony of the

witness. This rule is subject to the provisions of Rule 703,

relating to opinion testimony by expert witnesses.

RULE 603. OATH OR AFFIRM ATION

Before testifying, every witness shall be required to declare that

the witness will testify truthfully, by oath or affirmation

administered in a form calculated to awaken the witness’

conscience and impress the witness’ mind with the duty to do so.

RULE 604. INTERPRETERS

An interpreter is subject to the provisions of these rules relating

to qualification as an expert and the administration of an oath or

affirmation to make a true translation.

RULE 605. COM PETENCY OF JUDGE AS A WITNESS

The judge presiding at the trial may not testify in that trial as a

witness. No objection need be made in order to preserve the

point.

RULE 606. COM PETENCY OF JUROR AS A W ITNESS

(a) At the Trial. A member of the jury may not testify as a

witness before that jury in the trial of the case in which the

juror is sitting as a juror. If the juror is called so to testify,

the opposing party shall be afforded an opportunity to

object out of the presence of the jury.

(b) Inquiry Into Validity of Verdict or Indictment. Upon

an inquiry into the validity of a verdict or indictment, a

juror may not testify as to any matter or statement

occurring during the jury’s deliberations, or on any juror’s

mind or emotions or mental processes, as influencing any

juror’s assent to or dissent from the verdict or indictment.

Nor may a juror’s affidavit or any statement by a juror

concerning any matter about which the juror would be

precluded from testifying be admitted in evidence for any

of these purposes. However, a juror may testify: (1)

whether any outside influence was improperly brought to

bear upon any juror; or (2) to rebut a claim that the juror

was not qualified to serve.

RULE 607. W HO M AY IM PEACH

The credibility of a witness may be attacked by any party,

including the party calling the witness.

RULE 608. EVIDENCE OF CHARACTER AND

CONDUCT OF A W ITNESS

(a) Opinion and Reputation Evidence of Character. The

credibility of a witness may be attacked or supported by

evidence in the form of opinion or reputation, but subject

to these limitations:

(1) the evidence may refer only to character for

truthfulness or untruthfulness; and

(2) evidence of truthful character is admissible only after

the character of the witness for truthfulness has been

attacked by opinion or reputation evidence or

otherwise.

(b) Specific Instances of Conduct. Specific instances of the

conduct of a witness, for the purpose of attacking or

supporting the witness’ credibility, other than conviction

of crime as provided in Rule 609, may not be inquired into

on cross-examination of the witness nor proved by

extrinsic evidence.

RULE 609. IM PEACHM ENT BY EVIDENCE OF

CONVICTION O F CRIM E

Page 14 TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE

(a) General Rule. For the purpose of attacking the credibility

of a witness, evidence that the witness has been convicted

of a crime shall be admitted if elicited from the witness or

established by public record but only if the crime was a

felony or involved moral turpitude, regardless of

punishment, and the court determines that the probative

value of admitting this evidence outweighs its prejudicial

effect to a party.

(b) Time Limit. Evidence of a conviction under this rule is

not admissible if a period of more than ten years has

elapsed since the date of the conviction or of the release of

the witness from the confinement imposed for that

conviction, whichever is the later date, unless the court

determines, in the interests of justice, that the probative

value of the conviction supported by specific facts and

circumstances substantially outweighs its prejudicial

effect.

Rehabilitation. Evidence of a conviction is not

admissible under this rule if:

(1) based on the finding of the rehabilitation of the

person convicted, the conviction has been the subject

of a pardon, annulment, certificate of rehabilitation,

or other equivalent procedure, and that person has

not been convicted of a subsequent crime which was

classified as a felony or involved moral turpitude,

regardless of punishment;

(2) probation has been satisfactorily completed for the

crime for which the person was convicted, and that

person has not been convicted of a subsequent crime

which was classified as a felony or involved moral

turpitude, regardless of punishment; or

(3) based on a finding of innocence, the conviction has

been the subject of a pardon, annulment, or other

equivalent procedure.

(d) Juvenile Adjudications. Evidence of juvenile

adjudications is not admissible, except for proceedings

conducted pursuant to Title III, Family Code, in which the

witness is a party, under this rule unless required to be

admitted by the Constitution of the United States or Texas.

(e) Pendency of Appeal. Pendency of an appeal renders

evidence of a conviction inadmissible.

(f) Notice. Evidence of a conviction is not admissible if after

timely written request by the adverse party specifying the

witness or witnesses, the proponent fails to give to the

adverse party sufficient advance written notice of intent to

use such evidence to provide the adverse party with a fair

opportunity to contest the use of such evidence.

RULE 610. RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OR OPINIONS

Evidence of the beliefs or opinions of a witness on matters of

religion is not admissible for the purpose of showing that by

reason of their nature the witness’ credibility is impaired or

enhanced.

Notes and Comments

Comment to 1997 change: This is prior Rule of Criminal

Evidence 615.

RULE 611. M ODE AND O RDER O F

INTERROGATION AND PRESENTATION

(a) Control by Court. The court shall exercise reasonable

control over the mode and order of interrogating witnesses

and presenting evidence so as to (1) make the interrogation

and presentation effective for the ascertainment of the

truth, (2) avoid needless consumption of time, and

(3) protect witnesses from harassment or undue

embarrassment.

(b) Scope of Cross-Examination. A witness may be cross-

examined on any matter relevant to any issue in the case,

including credibility.

used on the direct examination of a witness except as may

be necessary to develop the testimony of the witness.

Ordinarily leading questions should be permitted on cross-

examination. When a party calls a hostile witness, an

adverse party, or a witness identified with an adverse

party, interrogation may be by leading questions.

Notes and Comments

RULE 612. W RITING USED TO REFRESH M EM ORY

If a witness uses a writing to refresh memory for the purpose of

testifying either

(1) while testifying;

(2) before testifying, in civil cases, if the court in its

discretion determines it is necessary in the interests

of justice; or

(3) before testifying, in criminal cases;

an adverse party is entitled to have the writing produced at the

hearing, to inspect it, to cross-examine the witness thereon, and

to introduce in evidence those portions which relate to the

testimony of the witness. If it is claimed that the writing contains

matters not related to the subject matter of the testimony the

court shall examine the writing in camera, excise any portion not

TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE Page 15

so related, and order delivery of the remainder to the party

entitled thereto. Any portion withheld over objections shall be

preserved and made available to the appellate court in the event

of an appeal. If a writing is not produced or delivered pursuant

to order under this rule, the court shall make any order justice

requires, except that in criminal cases when the prosecution

elects not to comply, the order shall be one striking the testimony

or, if the court in its discretion determines that the interests of

justice so require, declaring a mistrial.

RULE 613. PRIO R STATEM ENTS OF W ITNESSES:

IM PEACHM ENT AND SUPPORT

(a) Examining Witness Concerning Prior Inconsistent

Statement. In examining a witness concerning a prior

inconsistent statement made by the witness, whether oral

or written, and before further cross-examination

concerning, or extrinsic evidence of such statement may be

allowed, the witness must be told the contents of such

statement and the time and place and the person to whom

it was made, and must be afforded an opportunity to

explain or deny such statement. If written, the writing

need not be shown to the witness at that time, but on

request the same shall be shown to opposing counsel. If

the witness unequivocally admits having made such

statement, extrinsic evidence of same shall not be

admitted. This provision does not apply to admissions of

a party-opponent as defined in Rule 801(e)(2).

(b) Examining W itness Concerning Bias or Interest. In

impeaching a witness by proof of circumstances or

statements showing bias or interest on the part of such

witness, and before further cross-examination concerning,

or extrinsic evidence of, such bias or interest may be

allowed, the circumstances supporting such claim or the

details of such statement, including the contents and

where, when and to whom made, must be made known to

the witness, and the witness must be given an opportunity

to explain or to deny such circumstances or statement. If

written, the writing need not be shown to the witness at

that time, but on request the same shall be shown to

opposing counsel. If the witness unequivocally admits

such bias or interest, extrinsic evidence of same shall not

be admitted. A party shall be permitted to present

evidence rebutting any evidence impeaching one of said

party’s witnesses on grounds of bias or interest.

statement of a witness which is consistent with the

testimony of the witness is inadmissible except as

provided in Rule 801(e)(1)(B).

RULE 614. EXCLUSION OF WITNESSES

At the request of a party the court shall order witnesses excluded

so that they cannot hear the testimony of other witnesses, and it

may make the order of its own motion. This rule does not

authorize exclusion of:

(1) a party who is a natural person or in civil cases the

spouse of such natural person;

(2) an officer or employee of a party in a civil case or a

defendant in a criminal case that is not a natural

person designated as its representative by its

attorney;

(3) a person whose presence is shown by a party to be

essential to the presentation of the party’s cause; or

(4) the victim in a criminal case, unless the victim is to

testify and the court determines that the victim’s

testimony would be materially affected if the victim

hears other testimony at the trial.

RULE 615. PRODUCTIO N OF STATEM ENTS OF

WITNESSES IN CRIM INAL CASES

(a) M otion for Production. After a witness other than the

defendant has testified on direct examination, the court, on

motion of a party who did not call the witness, shall order

the attorney for the state or the defendant and defendant’s

attorney, as the case may be, to produce, for the

examination and use of the moving party, any statement of

the witness that is in their possession and that relates to the

subject matter concerning which the witness has testified.

(b) Production of Entire Statement. If the entire contents of

the statement relate to the subject matter concerning which

the witness has testified, the court shall order that the

statement be delivered to the moving party.

claims that the statement contains matter that does not

relate to the subject matter concerning which the witness

has testified, the court shall order that it be delivered to the

court in camera. Upon inspection, the court shall excise

the portions of the statement that do not relate to the

subject matter concerning which the witness has testified,

and shall order that the statement, with such material

excised, be delivered to the moving party. Any portion

withheld over objection shall be preserved and made

available to the appellate court in the event of appeal.

(d) Recess for Examination of Statement. Upon delivery of

the statement to the moving party, the court, upon

application of that party, shall recess proceedings in the

trial for a reasonable examination of such statement and

for preparation for its use in the trial.

(e) Sanction for Failure to Produce Statement. If the other

party elects not to comply with an order to deliver a

statement to the moving party, the court shall order that

Page 16 TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE

the testimony of the witness be stricken from the record

and that the trial proceed, or, if it is the attorney for the

state who elects not to comply, shall declare a mistrial if

required by the interest of justice.

(f) Definition. As used in this rule, a "statement" of a witness

means:

(1) a written statement made by the witness that is

signed or otherwise adopted or approved by the

witness;

(2) a substantially verbatim recital of an oral statement

made b y th e w itness th at is reco rd ed

contemporaneously with the making of the oral

statement and that is contained in a stenographic,

mechanical, electrical, or other recording or a

transcription thereof; or

(3) a statement, however taken or recorded, or a

transcription thereof, made by the witness to a grand

jury.

Notes and Comments

Comment to 1997 change: This is prior Texas Rule of Criminal

Evidence 614.

ARTICLE VII. OPINIONS AND EXPERT TESTIM ONY

RULE 701. OPINION TESTIM ONY BY LAY

WITNESSES

If the witness is not testifying as an expert, the witness’ testimony

in the form of opinions or inferences is limited to those opinions

or inferences which are (a) rationally based on the perception of

the witness and (b) helpful to a clear understanding of the

witness’ testimony or the determination of a fact in issue.

RULE 702. TESTIM ONY BY EXPERTS

If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist

the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact

in issue, a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill,

experience, training, or education, may testify thereto in the form

of an opinion or otherwise.

RULE 703. BASES OF OPINION TESTIM ONY BY

EXPERTS

The facts or data in the particular case upon which an expert

bases an opinion or inference may be those perceived by,

reviewed by, or made known to the expert at or before the

hearing. If of a type reasonably relied upon by experts in the

particular field in forming opinions or inferences upon the

subject, the facts or data need not be admissible in evidence.

Notes and Comments

Comment to 1997 change: The former Civil Rule referred to

facts or data “perceived by or reviewed by” the expert. The

former Criminal rule referred to facts or data “perceived by or

made known to” the expert. The terminology is now conformed

, but no change in meaning is intended.

RULE 704. OPINION ON ULTIM ATE ISSUE

Testimony in the form of an opinion or inference otherwise

admissible is not objectionable because it embraces an ultimate

issue to be decided by the trier of fact.

RULE 705. DISCLOSURE OF FACTS OR DATA

UNDERLYING EXPERT OPINION

(a) Disclosure of Facts or Data. The expert may testify in

terms of opinion or inference and give the expert’s reasons

therefor without prior disclosure of the underlying facts or

data, unless the court requires otherwise. The expert may

in any event disclose on direct examination, or be required

to disclose on cross-examination, the underlying facts or

data.

(b) Voir dire. Prior to the expert giving the expert’s opinion

or disclosing the underlying facts or data, a party against

whom the opinion is offered upon request in a criminal

case shall, or in a civil case may, be permitted to conduct

a voir dire examination directed to the underlying facts or

data upon which the opinion is based. This examination

shall be conducted out of the hearing of the jury.

underlying facts or data do not provide a sufficient basis

for the expert’s opinion under Rule 702 or 703, the

opinion is inadmissible.

(d) Balancing test; limiting instructions. When the

underlying facts or data would be inadmissible in

evidence, the court shall exclude the underlying facts or

data if the danger that they will be used for a purpose other

than as explanation or support for the expert’s opinion

outweighs their value as explanation or support or are

unfairly prejudicial. If otherwise inadmissible facts or

data are disclosed before the jury, a limiting instruction by

the court shall be given upon request.

Notes and Comments

TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE Page 17

Comment to 1997 change: Paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) are based

on the former Criminal Rule and are made applicable to civil

cases. This rule does not preclude a party in any case from

conducting a voir dire examination into the qualifications of an

expert.

RULE 706. AUDIT IN CIVIL CASES

Despite any other evidence rule to the contrary, verified reports

of auditors prepared pursuant to Rule of Civil Procedure 172,

whether in the form of summaries, opinions, or otherwise, shall

be admitted in evidence when offered by any party whether or

not the facts or data in the reports are otherwise admissible and

whether or not the reports embrace the ultimate issues to be

decided by the trier of fact. Where exceptions to the reports have

been filed, a party may contradict the reports by evidence

supporting the exceptions.

ARTICLE VIII. HEARSAY

RULE 801. DEFINITIO NS

The following definitions apply under this article:

(a) Statement. A "statement" is (1) an oral or written verbal

expression or (2) nonverbal conduct of a person, if it is

intended by the person as a substitute for verbal

expression.

(b) Declarant. A "declarant" is a person who makes a

statement

explicitly asserted, and any matter implied by a statement,

if the probative value of the statement as offered flows

from declarant’s belief as to the matter.

(d) Hearsay. "Hearsay" is a statement, other than one made

by the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing,

offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter

asserted.

(e) Statements W hich Are Not Hearsay. A statement is not

hearsay if:

(1) Prior statement by witness. The declarant testifies at

the trial or hearing and is subject to cross-

examination concerning the statement, and the

statement is:

(A) inconsistent with the declarant’s testimony, and

was given under oath subject to the penalty of

perjury at a trial, hearing, or other proceeding

except a grand jury proceeding in a criminal

case, or in a deposition;

(B) consistent with the declarant’s testimony and is

offered to rebut an express or implied charge

against the declarant of recent fabrication or

improper influence or motive;

perceiving the person; or

(D) taken and offered in a criminal case in

accordance with Code of Criminal Procedure

article 38.071.

(2) Admission by party-opponent. The statement is

offered against a party and is:

(A) the party’s own statement in either an

individual or representative capacity;

(B) a statement of which the party has manifested

an adoption or belief in its truth;

to make a statement concerning the subject;

(D) a statement by the party’s agent or servant

concerning a matter within the scope of the

agency or employment, made during the

existence of the relationship; or

(E) a statement by a co-conspirator of a party

during the course and in furtherance of the

conspiracy.

(3) Depositions. In a civil case, it is a deposition taken

in the same proceeding, as same proceeding is

defined in Rule of Civil Procedure 207.

Unavailability of deponent is not a requirement for

admissibility.

RULE 802. HEARSAY RULE

Hearsay is not admissible except as provided by statute or these

rules or by other rules prescribed pursuant to statutory authority.

Inadmissible hearsay admitted without objection shall not be

denied probative value merely because it is hearsay.

RULE 803. HEARSAY EXCEPTIONS; AVAILABILITY

OF DECLARANT IM M ATERIAL

The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule, even though

the declarant is available as a witness:

(1) Present Sense Impression. A statement describing or

explaining an event or condition made while the declarant

was perceiving the event or condition, or immediately

thereafter.

Page 18 TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE

(2) Excited Utterance. A statement relating to a startling

event or condition made while the declarant was under the

stress of excitement caused by the event or condition.

(3) Then Existing M ental, Emotional, or Physical

Condition. A statement of the declarant’s then existing

state of mind, emotion, sensation, or physical condition

(such as intent, plan, motive, design, mental feeling, pain,

or bodily health), but not including a statement of memory

or belief to prove the fact remembered or believed unless

it relates to the execution, revocation, identification, or

terms of declarant’s will.

(4) Statements for Purposes of Medical Diagnosis or

Treatment. Statements made for purposes of medical

diagnosis or treatment and describing medical history, or

past or present symptoms, pain, or sensations, or the

inception or general character of the cause or external

source thereof insofar as reasonably pertinent to diagnosis

or treatment.

(5) Recorded Recollection. A memorandum or record

concerning a matter about which a witness once had

personal knowledge but now has insufficient recollection

to enable the witness to testify fully and accurately, shown

to have been made or adopted by the witness when the

matter was fresh in the witness’ memory and to reflect that

knowledge correctly, unless the circumstances of

preparation cast doubt on the document’s trustworthiness.

If admitted, the memorandum or record may be read into

evidence but may not itself be received as an exhibit

unless offered by an adverse party.

(6) Records of Regularly Conducted Activity. A

memorandum, report, record, or data compilation, in any

form, of acts, events, conditions, opinions, or diagnoses,

made at or near the time by, or from information

transmitted by, a person with knowledge, if kept in the

course of a regularly conducted business activity, and if it

was the regular practice of that business activity to make

the memorandum, report, record, or data compilation, all

as shown by the testimony of the custodian or other

qualified witness, or by affidavit that complies with Rule

902(10), unless the source of information or the method or

circumstances of preparation indicate lack of

trustworthiness. "Business" as used in this paragraph

includes any and every kind of regular organized activity

whether conducted for profit or not.

(7) Absence of Entry in Records Kept in Accordance With

the Provisions of Paragraph (6). Evidence that a matter

is not included in the memoranda, reports, records, or data

compilations, in any form, kept in accordance with the

provisions of paragraph (6), to prove the nonoccurrence or

nonexistence of the matter, if the matter was of a kind of

which a memorandum, report, record, or data compilation

was regularly made and preserved, unless the sources of

information or other circumstances indicate lack of

trustworthiness.

(8) Public Records and Reports. Records, reports,

statements, or data compilations, in any form, of public

offices or agencies setting forth:

(A) the activities of the office or agency;

(B) matters observed pursuant to duty imposed by law as

to which matters there was a duty to report,

excluding in criminal cases matters observed by

police officers and other law enforcement personnel;

against the state, factual findings resulting from an

investigation made pursuant to authority granted by

law;

unless the sources of information or other circumstances

indicate lack of trustworthiness.

(9) Records of Vital Statistics. Records or data

compilations, in any form, of births, fetal deaths, deaths,

or marriages, if the report thereof was made to a public

office pursuant to requirements of law.

(10) Absence of Public Record or Entry. To prove the

absence of a record, report, statement, or data compilation,

in any form, or the nonoccurrence or nonexistence of a

matter of which a record, report, statement, or data

compilation, in any form, was regularly made and

preserved by a public office or agency, evidence in the

form of a certification in accordance with Rule 902, or

testimony, that diligent search failed to disclose the record,

report statement, or data compilation, or entry.

(11) Records of Religious Organizations. Statements of

births, marriages, divorces, deaths, legitimacy, ancestry,

relationship by blood or marriage, or other similar facts of

personal or family history, contained in a regularly kept

record of a religious organization.

(12) M arriage, Baptismal, and Similar Certificates.

Statements of fact contained in a certificate that the maker

performed a marriage or other ceremony or administered

a sacrament, made by a member of the clergy, public

official, or other person authorized by the rules or

practices of a religious organization or by law to perform

the act certified, and purporting to have been issued at the

time of the act or within a reasonable time thereafter.

(13) Family Records. Statements of fact concerning personal

or family history contained in family Bibles, genealogies,

charts, engravings on rings, inscriptions on family

portraits, engravings on urns, crypts, or tombstones, or the

like.

TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE Page 19

(14) Records of Documents Affecting an Interest in

Property. The record of a document purporting to

establish or affect an interest in property, as proof of the

content of the original recorded document and its

execution and delivery by each person by whom it

purports to have been executed, if the record is a record of

a public office and an applicable statute authorizes the

recording of documents of that kind in that office.

(15) Statements in Documents Affecting an Interest in

Property. A statement contained in a document

purporting to establish or affect an interest in property if

the matter stated was relevant to the purpose of the

document, unless dealings with the property since the

document was made have been inconsistent with the truth

of the statement or the purport of the document.

(16) Statements in Ancient Documents. Statements in a

document in existence twenty years or more the

authenticity of which is established.

(17) M arket Reports, Commercial Publications. Market

quotations, tabulations, lists, directories, or other

published compilations, generally used and relied upon by

the public or by persons in particular occupations.

(18) Learned Treatises. To the extent called to the attention

of an expert witness upon cross-examination or relied

upon by the expert in direct examination, statements

contained in published treatises, periodicals, or pamphlets

on a subject of history, medicine, or other science or art

established as a reliable authority by the testimony or

admission of the witness or by other expert testimony or

by judicial notice. If admitted, the statements may be read

into evidence but may not be received as exhibits.

(19) Reputation Concerning Personal or Family History.

Reputation among members of a person’s family by blood,

adoption, or marriage, or among a person’s associates, or

in the community, concerning a person’s birth, adoption,

marriage, divorce, death, legitimacy, relationship by

blood, adoption, or marriage, ancestry, or other similar

fact of personal or family history.

(20) Reputation Concerning Boundaries or General

History. Reputation in a community, arising before the

controversy, as to boundaries of or customs affecting lands

in the community, and reputation as to events of general

history important to the community or state or nation in

which located.

(21) Reputation as to Character. Reputation of a person’s

character among associates or in the community.

(22) Judgment of Previous Conviction. In civil cases,

evidence of a judgment, entered after a trial or upon a plea

of guilty (but not upon a plea of nolo contendere), judging

a person guilty of a felony, to prove any fact essential to

sustain the judgment of conviction. In criminal cases,

evidence of a judgment, entered after a trial or upon a plea

of guilty or nolo contendere, adjudging a person guilty of

a criminal offense, to prove any fact essential to sustain the

judgment of conviction, but not including, when offered

by the state for purposes other than impeachment,

judgments against persons other than the accused. In all

cases, the pendency of an appeal renders such evidence

inadmissible.

(23) Judgment as to Personal, Family, or General History,

or Boundaries. Judgments as proof of matters of

personal, family or general history, or boundaries,

essential to the judgment, if the same would be provable

by evidence of reputation.

(24) Statement Against Interest. A statement which was at

the time of its making so far contrary to the declarant’s

pecuniary or proprietary interest, or so far tended to

subject the declarant to civil or criminal liability, or to

render invalid a claim by the declarant against another, or

to make the declarant an object of hatred, ridicule, or

disgrace, that a reasonable person in declarant’s position

would not have made the statement unless believing it to

be true. In criminal cases, a statement tending to expose

the declarant to criminal liability is not admissible unless

corroborating circumstances clearly indicate the

trustworthiness of the statement.

RULE 804. HEARSAY EXCEPTIONS; DECLARANT

UNAVAILABLE

(a) Definition of Unavailability. "Unavailability as a

witness" includes situations in which the declarant:

(1) is exempted by ruling of the court on the ground of

privilege from testifying concerning the subject

matter of the declarant’s statement;

(2) persists in refusing to testify concerning the subject

matter of the declarant’s statement despite an order

of the court to do so;

(3) testifies to a lack of memory of the subject matter of

the declarant’s statement;

(4) is unable to be present or to testify at the hearing

because of death or then existing physical or mental

illness or infirmity; or

(5) is absent from the hearing and the proponent of the

declarant’s statement has been unable to procure the

declarant’s attendance or testimony by process or

other reasonable means.

A declarant is not unavailable as a witness if the

declarant’s exemption, refusal, claim of lack of memory,

inability, or absence is due to the procurement or wrong-

Page 20 TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE

doing of the proponent of the declarant’s statement for the

purpose of preventing the witness from attending or

testifying.

(b) Hearsay Exceptions. The following are not excluded if

the declarant is unavailable as a witness:

(1) Former testimony. In civil cases, testimony given as

a witness at another hearing of the same or a

different proceeding, or in a deposition taken in the

course of another proceeding, if the party against

whom the testimony is now offered, or a person with

a similar interest, had an opportunity and similar

motive to develop the testimony by direct, cross, or

redirect examination. In criminal cases, testimony

given as a witness at another hearing of the same or

a different proceeding, if the party against whom the

testimony is now offered had an opportunity and

similar motive to develop the testimony by direct,

cross, or redirect examination. In criminal cases the

use of depositions is controlled by Chapter 39 of the

Code of Criminal Procedure.

(2) Dying declarations. A statement made by a

declarant while believing that the declarant’s death

was imminent, concerning the cause or

circumstances of what the declarant believed to be

impending death.

(3) Statement of personal or family history.

(A) A statement concerning the declarant’s own

birth, adoption, marriage, divorce, legitimacy,

relationship by blood, adoption, or marriage,

ancestry, or other similar fact of personal or

family history even though declarant had no

means of acquiring personal knowledge of the

matter stated; or

(B) A statement concerning the foregoing matters,

and death also, of another person, if the

declarant was related to the other by blood,

adoption, or marriage or was so intimately

associated with the other’s family as to be

likely to have accurate information concerning

the matter declared.

RULE 805. HEARSAY W ITHIN HEARSAY

Hearsay included within hearsay is not excluded under the

hearsay rule if each part of the combined statements conforms

with an exception to the hearsay rule provided in these rules.

RULE 806. ATTACKING AND SUPPORTING

CREDIBILITY OF DECLARANT

When a hearsay statement, or a statement defined in Rule

801(e)(2) (C), (D), or (E), or in civil cases a statement defined in

Rule 801(e)(3), has been admitted in evidence, the credibility of

the declarant may be attacked, and if attacked may be supported

by any evidence which would be admissible for those purposes

if declarant had testified as a witness. Evidence of a statement or

conduct by the declarant at any time, offered to impeach the

declarant, is not subject to any requirement that the declarant

may have been afforded an opportunity to deny or explain. If the

party against whom a hearsay statement has been admitted calls

the declarant as a witness, the party is entitled to examine the

declarant on the statement as if under cross-examination.

ARTICLE IX. AUTHENTICATION AND

IDENTIFICATION

RULE 901. REQUIREM ENT OF AUTHENTICATION

OR IDENTIFICATION

(a) General Provision. The requirement of authentication or

identification as a condition precedent to admissibility is

satisfied by evidence sufficient to support a finding that

the matter in question is what its proponent claims.

(b) Illustrations. By way of illustration only, and not by way

of limitation, the following are examples of authentication

or identification conforming with the requirements of this

rule:

(1) Testimony of witness with knowledge. Testimony

that a matter is what it is claimed to be.

(2) Nonexpert opinion on handwriting. Nonexpert

opinion as to the genuineness of handwriting, based

upon familiarity not acquired for purposes of the

litigation.

(3) Comparison by trier or expert witness. Comparison

by the trier of fact or by expert witness with

specimens which have been found by the court to be

genuine.

(4) Distinctive characteristics and the like. Appearance,

contents, substance, internal patterns, or other

distinctive characteristics, taken in conjunction with

circumstances.

(5) Voice identification. Identification of a voice,

whether heard firsthand or through mechanical or

electronic transmission or recording, by opinion

based upon hearing the voice at anytime under

circumstances connecting it with the alleged speaker.

(6) Telephone conversations. Telephone conversations,

by evidence that a call was made to the number

TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE Page 21

assigned at the time by the telephone company to a

particular person or business, if:

(A) in the case of a person, circumstances,

including self-identification, show the person

answering to be the one called; or

(B) in the case of a business, the call was made to

a place of business and the conversation related

to business reasonably transacted over the

telephone.

(7) Public records or reports. Evidence that a writing

authorized by law to be recorded or filed and in fact

recorded or filed in a public office, or a purported

public record, report, statement, or data compilation,

in any form, is from the public office where items of

this nature are kept.

(8) Ancient documents or data compilation. Evidence

that a document or data compilation, in any form,

(A) is in such condition as to create no suspicion

concerning its authenticity, (B) was in a place where

it, if authentic, would likely be, and (C) has been in

existence twenty years or more at the time it is

offered.

(9) Process or system. Evidence describing a process or

system used to produce a result and showing that the

process or system produces an accurate result.

(10) Methods provided by statute or rule. Any method of

authentication or identification provided by statute or

by other rule prescribed pursuant to statutory

authority.

RULE 902. SELF-AUTHENTICATION

Extrinsic evidence of authenticity as a condition precedent to

admissibility is not required with respect to the following:

(1) Domestic Public Documents Under Seal. A document

bearing a seal purporting to be that of the United States, or

of any State, district, Commonwealth, territory, or insular

possession thereof, or the Panama Canal Zone, or the

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or of a political

subdivision, department, officer, or agency thereof, and a

signature purporting to be an attestation or execution.

(2) Domestic Public Documents Not Under Seal. A

document purporting to bear the signature in the official

capacity of an officer or employee of any entity included

in paragraph (1) hereof, having no seal, if a public officer

having a seal and having official duties in the district or

political subdivision of the officer or employee certifies

under seal that the signer has the official capacity and that

the signature is genuine.

(3) Foreign Public Documents. A document purporting to

be executed or attested in an official capacity by a person,

authorized by the laws of a foreign country to make the

execution or attestation, and accompanied by a final

certification as to the genuineness of the signature and

official position (A) of the executing or attesting person,

or (B) of any foreign official whose certificate of

genuineness of signature and official position relates to the

execution or attestation or is in a chain of certificates of

genuineness of signature and official position relating to

the execution or attestation. A final certification may be

made by a secretary of embassy or legation, consul

general, consul, vice consul, or consular agent of the

United States, or a diplomatic or consular official of the

foreign country assigned or accredited to the United

States. If reasonable opportunity has been given to all

parties to investigate the authenticity and accuracy of

official documents, the court may, for good cause shown,

order that they be treated as presumptively authentic

without final certification or permit them to be evidenced

by an attested summary with or without final certification.

The final certification shall be dispensed with whenever

both the United States and the foreign country in which the

official record is located are parties to a treaty or

convention that abolishes or displaces such requirement,

in which case the record and the attestation shall be

certified by the means provided in the treaty or

convention.

(4) Certified Copies of Public Records. A copy of an

official record or report or entry therein, or of a document

authorized by law to be recorded or filed and actually

recorded or filed in a public office, including data

compilations in any form certified as correct by the

custodian or other person authorized to make the

certification, by certificate complying with paragraph (1),

(2) or (3) of this rule or complying with any statute or

other rule prescribed pursuant to statutory authority.

(5) Official Publications. Books, pamphlets, or other

publications purporting to be issued by public authority.

(6) Newspapers and Periodicals. Printed materials

purporting to be newspapers or periodicals.

(7) Trade Inscriptions and the Like. Inscriptions, signs,

tags, or labels purporting to have been affixed in the

course of business and indicating ownership, control, or

origin.

(8) Acknowledged Documents. Documents accompanied by

a certificate of acknowledgment executed in the manner

provided by law by a notary public or other officer

authorized by law to take acknowledgments.

(9) Commercial Paper and Related Documents.

Commercial paper, signatures thereon, and documents

Page 22 TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE

relating thereto to the extent provided by general

commercial law.

(10) Business Records Accompanied by Affidavit.

(a) Records or photocopies; admissibility; affidavit;

filing. Any record or set of records or

photographically reproduced copies of such records,

which would be admissible under Rule 803(6) or (7)

shall be admissible in evidence in any court in this

state upon the affidavit of the person who would

otherwise provide the prerequisites of Rule 803(6) or

(7), that such records attached to such affidavit were

in fact so kept as required by Rule 803(6) or (7),

provided further, that such record or records along

with such affidavit are filed with the clerk of the

court for inclusion with the papers in the cause in

which the record or records are sought to be used as

evidence at least fourteen days prior to the day upon

which trial of said cause commences, and provided

the other parties to said cause are given prompt

notice by the party filing same of the filing of such

record or records and affidavit, which notice shall

identify the name and employer, if any, of the person

making the affidavit and such records shall be made

available to the counsel for other parties to the action

or litigation for inspection and copying. The

expense for copying shall be borne by the party,

parties or persons who desire copies and not by the

party or parties who file the records and serve notice

of said filing, in compliance with this rule. Notice

shall be deemed to have been promptly given if it is

served in the manner contemplated by Rule of Civil

Procedure 21a fourteen days prior to commencement

of trial in said cause.

(b) Form of affidavit. A form for the affidavit of such

person as shall make such affidavit as is permitted in

paragraph (a) above shall be sufficient if it follows

this form though this form shall not be exclusive, and

an affidavit which substantially complies with the

provisions of this rule shall suffice, to-wit:

No ______________

John Doe (Name of Plaintiff) § IN THE __________

v. § COURT IN AND FOR

John Roe (Name of Defendant)§ _________ COUNTY,

TEXAS

AFFIDAVIT

Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared

_________, who, being by me duly sworn, deposed as follows:

My name is _________, I am of sound mind, capable of

making this affidavit, and personally acquainted with the facts

herein stated:

I am the custodian of the records of _________. Attached

hereto are _____ pages of records from ______. These said

____ pages of records are kept by ________ in the regular

course of business, and it was the regular course of business of

__________ for an employee or representative of ________,

with knowledge of the act, event, condition, opinion, or

diagnosis, recorded to make the record or to transmit information

thereof to be included in such record; and the record was made

at or near the time or reasonably soon thereafter. The records

attached hereto are the original or exact duplicates of the

original.

______________________________________

Affiant

SW ORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED before me on the

_________ day of _________, 19 ____.

_____________________________________

Notary Public, State of Texas

____________________________________

Notary’s printed name:

____________________________________

My commission expires:

facie proof of medical expenses by affidavit that

substantially complies with the following form:

TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE Page 23

Affidavit of Records Custodian of

____________________________________

STATE OF TEXAS §

COUNTY OF ______________ §

Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared

__________, who, being by me duly sworn, deposed as follows:

Mv name is __________. I am of sound mind and capable

of making this affidavit, and personally acquainted with the facts

herein stated.

I am a custodian of records for __________. Attached to

this affidavit are records that provide an itemized statement of

the service and the charge for the service that __________

provided to __________ on _____. The attached records are a

part of this affidavit.

The attached records are kept by __________ in the

regular course of business, and it was the regular course of

business of __________ for an employee or representative of

__________, with knowledge of the service provided, to make

the record or to transmit information to be included in the record.

The records were made in the regular course of business at or

near the time or reasonably soon after the time the service was

provided. The records are the original or a duplicate of the

original.

The services provided were necessary and the amount

charged for the services was reasonable at the time and place that

the services were provided.

The total amount paid for the services was $_____ and the

amount currently unpaid but which __________ has a right to be

paid after any adjustments or credits is $_____.

________________________

Affiant

SW ORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED before me on the _____ day

of _____, _____.

________________________

Notary Public, State of Texas

Notary’s printed name: _______________

My commission expires: ____________

Comment to 2013 Change: Rule 902(10)(c) is added to provide

a form affidavit for proof of medical expenses. The affidavit is

intended to comport with Section 41.0105 of the Civil Practice

and Remedies Code, which allows evidence of only those

medical expenses that have been paid or will be paid, after any

required credits or adjustments. See Haygood v. Escabedo, 356

S.W .3d 390 (Tex. 2011). The records attached to the affidavit

must also meet the admissibility standard of Haygood, 356

S.W .3d at 399-400 (“[O]nly evidence of recoverable medical

expenses is admissible at trial,”).

(11) Presumptions Under Statutes or O ther Rules. Any

signature, document, or other matter declared by statute

or by other rules prescribed pursuant to statutory

authority to be presumptively or prima facie genuine or

authentic.

RULE 903. SUBSCRIBING WITNESS’ TESTIM ONY

UNNECESSARY

The testimony of a subscribing witness is not necessary to

authenticate a writing unless required by the laws of the

jurisdiction whose laws govern the validity of the writing.

ARTICLE X. CONTENTS OF W RITINGS,

RECORDINGS, AND PH OTOGRAPHS

RULE 1001. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this article the following definitions are

applicable:

(a) Writings and Recordings. "W ritings" and

"recordings" consist of letters, words, or numbers or

their equivalent, set down by handwriting, typewriting,

printing, photostating, photographing, magnetic impulse,

mechanical or electronic recording, or other form of

data compilation.

(b) Photographs. "Photographs" include still photographs,

X-ray films, video tapes, and motion pictures.

writing or recording itself or any counterpart intended to

have the same effect by a person executing or issuing it.

An "original" of a photograph includes the negative or

any print therefrom. If data are stored in a computer or

similar device, any printout or other output readable by

sight, shown to reflect the data accurately, is an

"original."

(d) Duplicate. A "duplicate" is a counterpart produced by

the same impression as the original, or from the same

matrix, or by means of photography, including

enlargements and miniatures, or by mechanical or

electronic re-recording, or by chemical reproduction, or

by other equivalent techniques which accurately

reproduce the original.

RULE 1002. REQUIREM ENT OF O RIGINALS

Page 24 TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE

To prove the content of a writing, recording, or photograph,

the original writing, recording, or photograph is required

except as otherwise provided in these rules or by law.

RULE 1003. ADM ISSIBILITY OF DUPLICATES

A duplicate is admissible to the same extent as an original

unless (1) a question is raised as to the authenticity of the

original or (2) in the circumstances it would be unfair to admit

the duplicate in lieu of the original.

RULE 1004. ADM ISSIBILITY OF OTHER EVIDENCE

OF CONTENTS

The original is not required, and other evidence of the contents

of a writing, recording, or photograph is admissible if:

(a) Originals Lost or Destroyed. All originals are lost or

have been destroyed, unless the proponent lost or

destroyed them in bad faith;

(b) Original Not Obtainable. No original can be obtained

by any available judicial process or procedure;

Texas;

(d) Original in Possession of Opponent. At a time when

an original was under the control of the party against

whom offered, that party was put on notice, by the

pleadings or otherwise, that the content would be a

subject of proof at the hearing, and that party does not

produce the original at the hearing; or

(e) Collateral M atters. The writing, recording or

photograph is not closely related to a controlling issue.

RULE 1005. PUBLIC RECORDS

The contents of an official record or of a document authorized

to be recorded or filed and actually recorded or filed, including

data compilations in any form, if otherwise admissible, may be

proved by copy, certified as correct in accordance with Rule

902 or testified to be correct by a witness who has compared it

with the original. If a copy which complies with the foregoing

cannot be obtained by the exercise of reasonable diligence,

then other evidence of the contents may be given.

RULE 1006. SUM M ARIES

The contents of voluminous writings, recordings, or

photographs, otherwise admissible, which cannot conveniently

be examined in court may be presented in the form of a chart,

summary, or calculation. The originals, or duplicates, shall be

made available for examination or copying, or both, by other

parties at a reasonable time and place. The court may order

that they be produced in court.

RULE 1007. TESTIM ONY OR WRITTEN ADM ISSIO N

OF PARTY

Contents of writings, recordings, or photographs may be

proved by the testimony or deposition of the party against

whom offered or by that party’s written admission, without

accounting for the nonproduction of the original.

RULE 1008. FUNCTIONS OF COURT AND JURY

When the admissibility of other evidence of contents of

writings, recordings, or photographs under these rules depends

upon the fulfillment of a condition of fact, the question

whether the condition has been fulfilled is ordinarily for the

court to determine in accordance with the provisions of Rule

104. However, when an issue is raised (a) whether the

asserted writing ever existed, or (b) whether another writing,

recording, or photograph produced at the trial is the original,

or (c) whether other evidence of contents correctly reflects the

contents, the issue is for the trier of fact to determine as in the

case of other issues of fact.

RULE 1009. TRANSLATION OF FOREIGN

LANGUAGE DOCUM ENTS

(a) Translations. A translation of foreign language

documents shall be admissible upon the affidavit of a

qualified translator setting forth the qualifications of the

translator and certifying that the translation is fair and

accurate. Such affidavit, along with the translation and

the underlying foreign language documents, shall be

served upon all parties at least 45 days prior to the date

of trial.

(b) Objections. Any party may object to the accuracy of

another party’s translation by pointing out the specific

inaccuracies of the translation and by stating with

specificity what the objecting party contends is a fair

and accurate translation. Such objection shall be served

upon all parties at least 15 days prior to the date of trial.

Translation. If no conflicting translation or objection is

timely served, the court shall admit a translation

submitted under paragraph (a) without need of proof,

provided however that the underlying foreign language

documents are otherwise admissible under the Texas

Rules of Evidence. Failure to serve a conflicting

translation under paragraph (a) or failure to timely and

properly object to the accuracy of a translation under

TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE Page 25

paragraph (b) shall preclude a party from attacking or

offering evidence contradicting the accuracy of such

translation at trial.

(d) Effect of Objections or Conflicting Translations. In

the event of conflicting translations under paragraph (a)

or if objections to another party’s translation are served

under paragraph (b), the court shall determine whether

there is a genuine issue as to the accuracy of a material

part of the translation to be resolved by the trier of fact.

(e) Expert Testimony of Translator. Except as provided

in paragraph (c), this Rule does not preclude the

admission of a translation of foreign language

documents at trial either by live testimony or by

deposition testimony of a qualified expert translator.

(f) Varying of Time Limits. The court, upon motion of

any party and for good cause shown, may enlarge or

shorten the time limits set forth in this Rule.

(g) Court Appointment. The court, if necessary, may

appoint a qualified translator, the reasonable value of

whose services shall be taxed as court costs.

Notes and Comments

Comment to 1997 change. This is a new rule.