Texas Rules of Evidence the Most Recent

Texas Rules of Evidence

The most recent Texas Rules of Evidence were codified effective January 1, 2007 (Texas Courts Online. December 21, 2011. P. 1); further examination provides an interesting insight into Texas Law. There are Ten Articles with articulated rules under each article.

Article I defines the general provisions of the codified rules, with purpose and scope as follows. Purpose: "these rules shall be construed to secure fairness in administration, elimination of unjustifiable expense and delay, and promotion of growth and development of the law of evidence to the end that the truth may be ascertained and proceedings justly determined" (Texas Courts Online. December 21, 2011. P. 1). Scope: According to Article I: General Provisions the "rules govern civil and criminal proceedings (including examining trials before magistrates) in all courts of Texas, except small claims courts" (Texas Courts Online. December 21, 2011. P. 1). Article I also sets forth exceptions to the Texas Rules of Evidence in criminal procedures. Article I contains Rules 101-107 (Texas Courts Online. December 21, 2011. P. 1-3).

Article II

Article II involves Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts. Article II contains Rules 201-204 (Texas Courts Online. December 21, 2011. P. 3).

Article III

Article III regards Presumptions. No Rules are listed. (Texas Courts Online. December 21, 2011. P. 3-4).

Article IV

Article IV concerns Relevant Evidence and its Limits. Article IV contains Rules 401-412 (Texas Courts Online. December 21, 2011. P. 4-6).

Article V

Article V speaks to Privileges. Article V contains Rules 501-513 (Texas Courts Online. December 21, 2011. P. 6-12).

Article VI

Article VI articulates Rules Regarding Witnesses. Article VI contains Rules 601-615 (Texas Courts Online. December 21, 2011. P. 12-16).

Article VII