The Pennsylvania rules of evidence govern proceedings in all courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s unified judicial system, except as otherwise provided by law. These rules of evidence are adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania under the authority of Article V § 10(c) of the Constitution of Pennsylvania. A principal goal of the rules of evidence is to construct a comprehensive code of evidence governing court proceedings in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. However, the courts have not applied the law of evidence in proceedings such as preliminary hearings, bail hearings, grand jury proceedings, sentencing hearings, parole and probation hearings, extradition or rendition hearings, and others. The Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence are not intended to supersede other provisions of law unless they do so expressly or by necessary implication. The rules are also applicable in compulsory arbitration hearings, with specific exceptions relating to the admissibility of certain written evidence and official documents.
Table of Contents of Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence
RULES OF EVIDENCE
ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Rule 101. Scope and citation of the rules
Rule 102. Purpose and construction
Rule 103. Rulings on evidence
Rule 104. Preliminary questions
Rule 105. Limited Admissibility
Rule 106. Remainder of related writings or recorded statements
ARTICLE II. JUDICIAL NOTICE
Rule 201. Judicial notice of adjudicative facts
ARTICLE III. PRESUMPTIONS
Rule 301. General rule
ARTICLE 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. Inadmissibility of pleas, plea discussions and related statements
Rule 411. Liability insurance
Rule 412. Sex offense cases: Relevance of alleged victim’s past sexual behavior or alleged sexual predisposition …
ARTICLE V. PRIVILEGES
Rule 501. General rule
ARTICLE VI. WITNESSES
Rule 601. 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. Impeachment of witness
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 other item used to refresh memory
Rule 613. Prior statements of witnesses
Rule 614. Calling and interrogation of witnesses by court
Rule 615. Sequestration of witnesses
ARTICLE 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
ARTICLE VIII. HEARSAY
Rule 801. Definitions
Rule 802. Hearsay Rule
Rule 803. Hearsay exceptions; availability of declarant immaterial
Rule 803.1. Hearsay exceptions; testimony of declarant necessary
Rule 804. Hearsay exceptions; declarant unavailable
Rule 805. Hearsay within hearsay
Rule 806. Attacking and supporting credibility of declarant
Rule 807. Residual exception [not adopted]
ARTICLE IX. AUTHENTICATION AND IDENTIFICATION
Rule 901. Requirement of authentication or identification
Rule 902. Self-authentication
Rule 903. Subscribing witness’ testimony unnecessary
ARTICLE 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