Chapters 901 to 911 govern proceedings in the courts of the state of Wisconsin. The rules apply generally to proceedings in civil and criminal actions. With respect to privileges, Chapter 905 applies at all stages of all actions, cases and proceedings. Other than chapter 905 with respect to privileges or s. 901.05 with respect to admissibility, the rules do not apply in situations such as:
- Preliminary questions of fact;
- Grand jury;
- Miscellaneous proceedings such as proceedings for extradition or rendition; sentencing, granting or revoking probation, modification of a sentence, issuance of arrest warrants, criminal summonses and search warrants.
- Proceedings with respect to pretrial release, except where habeas corpus is utilized with respect to release on bail or as otherwise provided in ch. 969; and
- Small claims actions, except jury trials.
Table of Contents of Wisconsin Rules of Evidence
CHAPTER 901. EVIDENCE — GENERAL PROVISIONS
901.01. Scope.
901.02. Purpose and construction.
901.03. Rulings on evidence.
901.04. Preliminary questions.
901.05. Admissibility of certain test results.
901.053. Admissibility of evidence relating to use of protective headgear while operating certain motor vehicles.
901.055. Admissibility of results of dust testing for the presence of lead.
901.06. Limited admissibility.
901.07. Remainder of or related writings or recorded statements.
CHAPTER 902. EVIDENCE — JUDICIAL NOTICE
902.01. Judicial notice of adjudicative facts.
902.02. Uniform judicial notice of foreign law act.
902.03. County and municipal ordinances; administrative rules of state and federal agencies.
CHAPTER 903. EVIDENCE — PRESUMPTIONS
903.01. Presumptions in general.
903.03. Presumptions in criminal cases.
CHAPTER 904. EVIDENCE — RELEVANCY AND ITS LIMITS
904.01. Definition of “relevant evidence”.
904.02. Relevant evidence generally admissible; irrelevant evidence inadmissible.
904.03. Exclusion of relevant evidence on grounds of prejudice, confusion, or waste of time.
904.04. Character evidence not admissible to prove conduct; exceptions; other crimes.
904.05. Methods of proving character.
904.06. Habit; routine practice.
904.07. Subsequent remedial measures.
904.08. Compromise and offers to compromise.
904.085. Communications in mediation.
904.09. Payment of medical and similar expenses.
904.10. Offer to plead guilty; no contest; withdrawn plea of guilty.
904.11. Liability insurance.
904.12. Statement of injured; admissibility; copies.
904.13. Information concerning crime victims.
904.15. Communication in farmer assistance programs.
CHAPTER 905. EVIDENCE — PRIVILEGES
905.01. Privileges recognized only as provided.
905.015. Interpreters for persons with language difficulties, limited English proficiency, or hearing or speaking …
905.02. Required reports privileged by statute.
905.03. Lawyer-client privilege.
905.04. Physician-patient, registered nurse-patient, chiropractor-patient, psychologist-patient, social
905.045. Domestic violence or sexual assault advocate-victim privilege.
905.05. Husband-wife and domestic partner privilege.
905.06. Communications to members of the clergy.
905.065. Honesty testing devices.
905.07. Political vote.
905.08. Trade secrets.
905.09. Law enforcement records.
905.10. Identity of informer.
905.11. Waiver of privilege by voluntary disclosure.
905.12. Privileged matter disclosed under compulsion or without opportunity to claim privilege.
905.13. Comment upon or inference from claim of privilege; instruction.
905.14. Privilege in crime victim compensation proceedings.
905.15. Privilege in use of federal tax return information.
CHAPTER 906. EVIDENCE — WITNESSES
906.01. General rule of competency.
906.02. Lack of personal knowledge.
906.03. Oath or affirmation.
906.04. Interpreters.
906.05. Competency of judge as witness.
906.06. Competency of juror as witness.
906.07. Who may impeach.
906.08. Evidence of character and conduct of witness.
906.09. Impeachment by evidence of conviction of crime or adjudication of delinquency.
906.10. Religious beliefs or opinions.
906.11. Mode and order of interrogation and presentation.
906.12. Writing used to refresh memory.
906.13. Prior statements of witnesses.
906.14. Calling and interrogation of witnesses by judge.
906.15. Exclusion of witnesses.
CHAPTER 907. EVIDENCE — OPINIONS AND EXPERT TESTIMONY
907.01. Opinion testimony by lay witnesses.
907.02. Testimony by experts.
907.03. Bases of opinion testimony by experts.
907.04. Opinion on ultimate issue.
907.05. Disclosure of facts or data underlying expert opinion.
907.06. Court appointed experts.
907.07. Reading of report by expert.
CHAPTER 908. EVIDENCE — HEARSAY
908.01. Definitions.
908.02. Hearsay rule.
908.03. Hearsay exceptions; availability of declarant immaterial.
908.04. Hearsay exceptions; declarant unavailable; definition of unavailability.
908.045. Hearsay exceptions; declarant unavailable.
908.05. Hearsay within hearsay.
908.06. Attacking and supporting credibility of declarant.
908.07. Preliminary examination; hearsay allowable.
908.08. Audiovisual recordings of statements of children.
CHAPTER 909. EVIDENCE — AUTHENTICATION AND IDENTIFICATION
909.01. General provision.
909.015. General provision; illustrations.
909.02. Self-authentication.
909.03. Subscribing witness’ testimony unnecessary.
CHAPTER 910. EVIDENCE — CONTENTS OF WRITINGS, RECORDINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS
910.01. Definitions.
910.02. Requirement of original.
910.03. Admissibility of duplicates.
910.04. Admissibility of other evidence of contents.
910.05. Public records.
910.06. Summaries.
910.07. Testimony or written admission of party.
910.08. Functions of judge and jury.
CHAPTER 911. EVIDENCE — MISCELLANEOUS RULES
911.01. Applicability of rules of evidence.
911.02. Title.
