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North Dakota Rules of Evidence

The North Dakota Rules of Evidence govern proceedings in the courts of North Dakota, to the extent and with the exceptions stated in Rule 1101.  The rules apply to all courts and magistrates of this North Dakota.  The rules of evidence apply generally to all civil actions, special proceedings, and criminal actions and to contempt proceedings except those in which the court may act summarily.  The rules with respect to privileges apply at all stages of all actions, cases, and proceedings.

The rules, other than those with respect to privileges, do not apply in situations such as:

  • Preliminary questions of fact;
  • Proceedings before grand juries; and
  • Miscellaneous proceedings such as proceedings for extradition or rendition; preliminary examinations in criminal cases; sentencing, or granting or revoking probation or parole; issuance of warrants for arrest, criminal summonses, and search warrants; and proceedings with respect to release on bail or otherwise.

Table of Contents of North Dakota Rules of Evidence

North Dakota Rules of Evidence

    I. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

    Rule 101. Scope. 

    Rule 102. Purpose and construction. 

    Rule 103. Rulings on evidence. 

    Rule 104. Preliminary questions. 

    Rule 105. Limited admissibility. 

    Rule 106. Remainder of or related writings or recorded statements. 

    II. JUDICIAL NOTICE. 

    Rule 201. Judicial notice of adjudicative facts. 

    III. PRESUMPTIONS.

    Rule 301. Presumptions in general in civil actions and proceedings. 

    Rule 302. Applicability of federal law in civil actions and proceedings. 

    Rule 303. Presumptions in criminal cases. 

    IV. RELEVANCY AND ITS LIMITS.

    Rule 401. Definition of “relevant evidence”. 

    Rule 402. Relevant evidence generally admissible; irrelevant evidence inadmissible. 

    Rule 403. Exclusion of relevant evidence on grounds of prejudice, confusion, or waste of time. 

    Rule 404. Character evidence not admissible to prove conduct, exceptions: other crimes. 

    Rule 405. Methods of proving character. 

    Rule 406. Habit: routine practice. 

    Rule 407. Subsequent remedial measures. 

    Rule 408. Compromise and offers to compromise. 

    Rule 409. Payment of medical and similar expenses. 

    Rule 410. Offer to plead guilty; nolo contendere; withdrawn plea of guilty. 

    Rule 411. Liability insurance. 

    Rule 412. Admissibility of alleged victim’s sexual behavior or alleged sexual predisposition in criminal proceeding. 

    V. PRIVILEGES.

    Rule 501. Privileges recognized only as provided. 

    Rule 502. Lawyer-client privilege. 

    Rule 503. Physician and psychotherapist-patient privilege. 

    Rule 504. Husband-wife privilege. 

    Rule 505. Religious privilege. 

    Rule 506. Political vote. 

    Rule 507. Trade secrets. 

    Rule 508. Secrets of state and other official information; governmental privileges. 

    Rule 509. Identity of informer. 

    Rule 510. Waiver of privilege by voluntary disclosure. 

    Rule 511. Privileged matter disclosed under compulsion or without opportunity to claim privilege. 

    Rule 512. Comment upon or inference from claim of privilege; instruction. 

    VI. WITNESSES.

    Rule 601. General rule of competency. 

    Rule 602. Lack of personal knowledge. 

    Rule 603. Oath or affirmation. 

    Rule 604. Interpreters. 

    Rule 605. Competency of judge as witness. 

    Rule 606. Competency of juror as witness. 

    Rule 607. Who may impeach. 

    Rule 608. Evidence of character and conduct of witness. 

    Rule 609. Impeachment by evidence of conviction of crime. 

    Rule 610. Religious beliefs or opinions. 

    Rule 611. Mode and order of interrogation and presentation. 

    Rule 612. Writing or object used to refresh memory. 

    Rule 613. Previous statements of witnesses. 

    Rule 614. Calling and interrogation of witnesses by court. 

    Rule 615. Exclusion of witnesses. 

    VII. OPINIONS AND EXPERT TESTIMONY. 

    Rule 701. Opinion testimony by lay witnesses. 

    Rule 702. Testimony by experts. 

    Rule 703. Bases of opinion testimony by experts. 

    Rule 704. Opinion on ultimate issue. 

    Rule 705. Disclosure of facts or data underlying expert opinion. 

    Rule 706. Court appointed experts. 

    VIII. HEARSAY.

    Rule 801. Definitions. 

    Rule 802. Hearsay rule. 

    Rule 803. Hearsay exceptions; availability of declarant immaterial. 

    Rule 804. Hearsay exceptions; declarant unavailable. 

    Rule 805. Hearsay within hearsay. 

    Rule 806. Attacking and supporting credibility of declarant. 

    Rule 807. Residual exception. 

    IX. AUTHENTICATION AND IDENTIFICATION.

    Rule 901. Requirement of authentication or identification. 

    Rule 902. Self-authentication. 

    Rule 903. Subscribing witness’ testimony unnecessary. 

    X. CONTENTS OF WRITINGS, RECORDINGS, AND PHOTOGRAPHS.

    Rule 1001. Definitions. 

    Rule 1002. Requirement of original. 

    Rule 1003. Admissibility of duplicates. 

    Rule 1004. Admissibility of other evidence of contents. 

    Rule 1005. Public records. 

    Rule 1006. Summaries. 

    Rule 1007. Testimony or written admission of party. 

    Rule 1008. Functions of court and jury. 

    XI. MISCELLANEOUS RULES.

    Rule 1101. Applicability of rules. 

    Rule 1102. Reserved for future use. 

    Rule 1103. Title and citation. 

    TABLE OF SUPERSEDED STATUTES

North Dakota Rules of Evidence


Inside North Dakota Rules of Evidence