Rules of evidence are a set of rules to establish what can be brought forth as evidence in court and to regulate how evidence is collected, presented and applied in court. Minnesota Rules of Evidence govern proceedings in the courts of Minnesota. These rules apply to all actions and proceedings in the courts of this State.
However, the rules other than those with respect to privileges do not apply in the following situations:
- During determination of questions of fact preliminary to admissibility of evidence when the issue is to be determined by the court.
- Proceedings before grand juries.
- During miscellaneous Proceedings such as for extradition or rendition; detention hearing in criminal cases; sentencing, granting or revoking probation; issuance of warrants for arrest, criminal summonses, and search warrants; and proceedings with respect to release on bail or otherwise.
- During contempt proceedings in which the court may act summarily.
Minnesota Rules of Evidence are construed to secure fairness in administration and elimination of unjustifiable expense and delay. In addition, the rules aim at promotion of growth and development of the law of evidence for ascertaining truth and justly determining proceedings.
Table of Contents of Minnesota Rules of Evidence.
ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS 6
101. Scope
102. Purpose and Construction
103. Rulings on Evidence
104. Preliminary Questions
105. Limited Admissibility
106. Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded Statements
ARTICLE 2. JUDICIAL NOTICE 1
201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts
ARTICLE 3. PRESUMPTIONS IN CIVIL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS 1
301. Presumptions in General in Civil Actions and Proceedings
ARTICLE 4. RELEVANCY AND ITS LIMITS 12
401. Definition of “Relevant Evidence”
402. Relevant Evidence Generally Admissible; Irrelevant Evidence Inadmissible
403. Exclusion of Relevant Evidence on Grounds of Prejudice, Confusion, or Waste of Time
404. Character Evidence Not Admissible to Prove Conduct; Exceptions; Other Crimes
405. Methods of Proving Character
406. Habit; Routine Practice
407. Subsequent Remedial Measures
408. Compromise and Offers to Compromise
409. Payment of Medical and Similar Expenses
410. Offer to Plead Guilty; Nolo Contendere, Withdrawn Plea of Guilty
411. Liability Insurance
412. Past Conduct of Victim of Certain Sex Offenses
ARTICLE 5. PRIVILEGES 1
501. General Rule
ARTICLE 6. WITNESSES 17
601. Competency
602. Lack of Personal Knowledge
603. Oath or Affirmation
604. Interpreters
605. Competency of Judge as Witness
606. Competency of Juror as Witness
607. Who May Impeach
608. Evidence of Character and Conduct of Witness
609. Impeachment by Evidence of Conviction of Crime
610. Religious Beliefs or Opinions
611. Mode and Order of Interrogation and Presentation
612. Writing Used to Refresh Memory
613. Prior Statements of Witnesses
614. Calling and Interrogation of Witnesses by Court
615. Exclusion of Witnesses
616. Bias of Witness
617. Conversation with Deceased or Insane Person
ARTICLE 7. OPINIONS AND EXPERT TESTIMONY 6
701. Opinion Testimony by Lay Witness
702. Testimony by Experts
703. Bases of Opinion Testimony by Experts
704. Opinion on Ultimate Issue
705. Disclosure of Facts or Data Underlying Expert Opinion
706. Court Appointed Experts
ARTICLE 8. HEARSAY 7
801. Definitions
802. Hearsay Rule
803. Hearsay Exceptions; Availability of Declarant Immaterial
804. Hearsay Exceptions; Declarant Unavailable
805. Hearsay Within Hearsay
806. Attacking and Supporting Credibility of Declarant
807. Residual Exception
ARTICLE 9. AUTHENTICATION AND IDENTIFICATION 3
901. Requirement of Authentication or Identification
902. Self-authentication
903. Subscribing Witness’ Testimony Unnecessary
ARTICLE 10. CONTENTS OF WRITINGS, RECORDINGS, AND PHOTOGRAPHS 8
1001. Definitions
1002. Requirement of Original
1003. Admissibility of Duplicates
1004. Admissibility of Other Evidence of Contents
1005. Public Records
1006. Summaries
1007. Testimony or Written Admission of Party
1008. Functions of Court and Jury
ARTICLE 11. MISCELLANEOUS RULES 1
1101. Rules Applicable