Home > West's Encyclopedia of American Law > Federal Rules of Evidence

The Federal Rules of Evidence generally govern civil and criminal proceedings in the courts of the United States and proceedings before U.S. BANKRUPTCY judges and U.S. magistrates, to the extent and with the exceptions stated in the rules. Promulgated by the U.S. Supreme Court and amended by Congress from time to time, the Federal Rules of Evidence are considered legislative enactments that have the force of statute, and courts interpret them as they would any other statute, employing traditional tools of statutory construction in applying their provisions.

The rules are designed to secure fairness in JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION, to eliminate unjustifiable expense and delay, and to promote the growth and development of the law of evidence so that truth may be ascertained...