Massachusetts Guide to Evidence

Statement From The Supreme Judicial Court and Introduction

Article I General Provisions

• Section 101 Title
• Section 102 Purpose and Construction
• Section 103 Rulings on Evidence, Objections, and Offers of Proof
• Section 104 Preliminary Questions  
• Section 105 Limiting Evidence That is Not Admissible Against Other Parties or for Other Purposes  
• Section 106 Doctrine of Completeness

Article II Judicial Notice

• Section 201 Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts
• Section 202 Judicial Notice of Law

Article III Inferences, Prima Facie Evidence, and Presumptions

• Section 301 Civil Cases
• Section 302 Criminal Cases

Article IV Relevancy and its Limits

• Section 401 Test for Relevant Evidence 
• Section 402 General Admissibility of Relevant Evidence 
• Section 403 Excluding Relevant Evidence for Prejudice, Confusion, Waste of Time, or Other Reasons 
• Section 404 Character Evidence; Crimes or Other Acts 
• Section 405 Methods of Proving Character
• Section 406 Routine Practice of a Business; Habit of an Individual 
• Section 407 Subsequent Remedial Measures
• Section 408 Compromise Offers and Negotiations in Civil Cases 
• Section 409 Expressions of Sympathy in Civil Cases; Offers to Pay Medical and Similar Expenses 
• Section 410 Pleas, Offers of Pleas, and Related Statements 
• Section 411 Insurance
• Section 412 Sexual Behavior or Sexual Reputation (Rape-Shield Law) 
• Section 413 First Complaint of Sexual Assault
• Section 414 Industry and Safety Standards

Article V Privileges and Disqualifications

• Introductory Note
• Section 501 Privileges Recognized Only as Provided
• Section 502 Attorney-Client Privilege
• Section 503 Psychotherapist-Patient Privilege
• Section 504 Spousal Privilege and Disqualification; Parent-Child Disqualification
• Section 505 Domestic Violence Victims' Counselor Privilege
• Section 506 Sexual Assault Counselor-Victim Privilege
• Section 507 Social Worker-Client Privilege
• Section 508 Allied Mental Health or Human Services Professional Privilege
• Section 509 Identity of Informer, Surveillance Location, and Protected Witness Privileges
• Section 510 Religious Privilege
• Section 511 Privilege Against Self-Incrimination
• Section 512 Jury Deliberations
• Section 513 Medical Peer Review Privilege
• Section 514 Mediation Privilege  
• Section 515 Investigatory Privilege
• Section 516 Political Voter Disqualification
• Section 517 Trade Secrets
• Section 518 Executive or Governmental Privilege
• Section 519 State and Federal Tax Returns
• Section 520 Tax Return Preparer
• Section 521 Sign Language Interpreter-Client Privilege
• Section 522 Interpreter-Client Privilege
• Section 523 Waiver of Privilege
• Section 524 Privileged Matter Disclosed Erroneously or Without Opportunity to Claim Privilege
• Section 525 Comment Upon or Inference from Claim of Privilege
• Section 526 Unemployment Hearing Privilege
• Section 527 Judicial Deliberation Privilege
• Section 528 Union Member-Union Privilege
• Section 529 Protections Regarding Diversion Programs

Article VI Witnesses

• Section 601 Competency
• Section 602 Need for Personal Knowledge 
• Section 603 Oath or Affirmation to Testify Truthfully 
• Section 604 Interpreters
• Section 605 Competency of Judge as Witness
• Section 606 Juror’s Competency as a Witness
• Section 607 Who May Impeach a Witness 
• Section 608 A Witness’s Character for Truthfulness or Untruthfulness 
• Section 609 Impeachment by Evidence of Conviction of Crime
• Section 610 Religious Beliefs or Opinions
• Section 611 Mode and Order of Examining Witnesses and Presenting Evidence 
• Section 612 Writing or Object Used to Refresh Memory
• Section 613 Prior Statements of Witnesses, Limited Admissibility
• Section 614 Calling and Examination of Witnesses by Court or Jurors 
• Section 615 Sequestration of Witnesses

Article VII Opinion and Expert Evidence

• Section 701 Opinion Testimony by Lay Witnesses
• Section 702 Testimony by Expert Witnesses 
• Section 703 Bases of Opinion Testimony by Experts
• Section 704 Opinion on Ultimate Issue
• Section 705 Disclosure of Facts or Data Underlying Expert Opinion
• Section 706 Court-Appointed Experts

Article VIII Hearsay

• Introductory Note
• Section 801 Definitions
• Section 802 The Rule Against Hearsay 
• Section 803 Hearsay Exceptions; Availability of Declarant Immaterial
• Section 804 Hearsay Exceptions; Declarant Unavailable
• Section 805 Hearsay Within Hearsay
• Section 806 Attacking and Supporting Credibility of Hearsay Declarant
• Section 807 Residual Exception

Article IX Authentication and Identification

• Section 901 Authenticating or Identifying Evidence 
• Section 902 Evidence That Is Self-Authenticating 
• Section 903 Subscribing Witness's Testimony

Article X Contents of Writings and Records

• Section 1001 Definitions That Apply to This Article 
• Section 1002 Requirement of Original (Best Evidence Rule)
• Section 1003 Admissibility of Duplicates
• Section 1004 Admissibility of Other Evidence of Content
• Section 1005 Official Records
• Section 1006 Summaries to Prove Content 
• Section 1007 Testimony or Statement of Party to Prove Content
• Section 1008 Functions of Judge and Fact Finder

Article XI Miscellaneous

• Section 1101 Applicability of Evidentiary Sections
• Section 1102 Spoliation or Destruction of Evidence
• Section 1103 Sexually Dangerous Person Proceedings
• Section 1104 Witness Cooperation Agreements
• Section 1105 Third-Party Culprit Evidence
• Section 1106 Abuse Prevention and Harassment Prevention Proceedings  
• Section 1107 Inadequate Police Investigation Evidence
• Section 1108 Access to Third-Party Records Prior to Trial in Criminal Cases (Lampron-Dwyer Protocol)
• Section 1109 View
• Section 1110 Consciousness of Guilt or Liability
• Section 1111 Missing Witness
• Section 1112 Eyewitness Identification
• Section 1113 Opening Statement and Closing Argument; Applicable to Criminal and Civil Cases 
• Section 1114 Restitution 
• Section 1115 Evidentiary Issues in Care and Protection, Child Custody, and Termination of Parental Rights Cases
• Section 1116 Peremptory Challenges of Potential Jurors
• Section 1117 Civil Commitment Hearings for Mental Illness
• Section 1118 Civil Commitment Hearings for Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders
• Section 1119 Digital Evidence
• Section 1120 Courtroom Demonstrations, Experiments, and Computer Simulations

Significant Updates to the 2024 Edition

Addendum. Federal Rules of Evidence Comparison Chart

Guide to Evidence Index

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