The Ohio Rules of evidence govern proceedings in the courts of Ohio, subject to the exceptions stated in the rules. The rule with respect to privileges applies at all stages of all actions, cases, and proceedings conducted under the rules of evidence.  The rules other than with respect to privileges do not apply in situations such as:

• Admissibility determinations;
• Proceedings before grand juries;
• Miscellaneous criminal proceedings such as proceedings for extradition or rendition of fugitives; sentencing; granting or revoking probation; proceedings with respect to community control sanctions; issuance of warrants for arrest; criminal summonses and search warrants; and proceedings with respect to release on bail or otherwise;
• Contempt proceedings in which the court may act summarily;
• Proceedings for mandatory arbitrations of civil cases authorized by the rules of superintendence and governed by local rules of court;
• Proceedings in which other rules prescribed by the Supreme Court govern matters relating to evidence;
• Special non-adversary statutory proceedings; and
• Proceedings in the small claims division of a county or municipal court.

Table of Contents of Ohio Rules of Evidence

Ohio Rules of Evidence

    Article I General Provisions

    Rule 101. Scope of Rules: Applicability; Privileges; Exceptions 

    Rule 102. Purpose and Construction; Supplementary Principles 

    Rule 103. Rulings on Evidence 

    Rule 104. Preliminary Questions 

    Rule 105. Limited Admissibility 

    Rule 106. Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded Statements 

    Article II Judicial Notice

    Rule 201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts 

    Article III Presumptions

    Rule 301. Presumptions in General in Civil Actions and Proceedings 

    Rule 302. [Reserved] 

    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 Undue Delay 

    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, Offers of Pleas, and Related Statements 

    Rule 411. Liability Insurance 

    Article V Privileges

    Rule 501. General Rule 

    Article 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. Impeachment 

    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 Used to Refresh Memory 

    Rule 613. Impeachment by Self-Contradiction 

    Rule 614. Calling and Interrogation of Witnesses by Court 

    Rule 615. Separation and Exclusion of Witnesses 

    Rule 616. Methods of Impeachment 

    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. Repealed. 

    Article 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. Hearsay Exceptions; Child Statements in Abuse Cases 

    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 

    Article XI Miscellaneous Rules

    Rule 1101. [Reserved] 

    Rule 1102. Effective Date 

    Rule 1103. Title