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LastreviewedandeditedJune29,2018IncludesamendmenteffectiveAugust1,2018
MAINERULESOFEVIDENCE
TABLEOFRULESARTICLEI.GENERALPROVISIONSRULE101. APPLICABILITY;DEFINITIONS;TITLERULE102. PURPOSE.RULE103. RULINGSONEVIDENCERULE104. PRELIMINARYQUESTIONS.RULE105. LIMITING EVIDENCE THAT IS NOT ADMISSIBLE AGAINST
OTHERPARTIESORFOROTHERPURPOSESRULE106. REMAINDER OF OR RELATED WRITINGS OR RECORDED
STATEMENTSARTICLEII.JUDICIALNOTICERULE201. JUDICIALNOTICEOFADJUDICATIVEFACTSARTICLEIII.PRESUMPTIONSRULE301. PRESUMPTIONSINCIVILCASESGENERALLY RULE302. PRESUMPTIONOFLEGITIMACYRULE303. PRESUMPTIONSINCRIMINALCASESARTICLEIV.RELEVANCEANDITSLIMITSRULE401. TESTFORRELEVANTEVIDENCERULE402. GENERALADMISSIBILITYOFRELEVANTEVIDENCE
2
RULE403. EXCLUDING RELEVANT EVIDENCE FOR PREJUDICE,
CONFUSION,WASTEOFTIME,OROTHERREASONSRULE404. CHARACTEREVIDENCE;CRIMESOROTHERACTSRULE405. METHODSOFPROVINGCHARACTERRULE406. HABIT;ROUTINEPRACTICERULE407. SUBSEQUENT REMEDIAL MEASURES; NOTIFICATION OF
DEFECTRULE408. COMPROMISEOFFERSANDNEGOTIATIONSRULE409. OFFERSTOPAYMEDICALANDSIMILAREXPENSESRULE410. PLEAS,PLEADISCUSSIONS,ANDRELATEDSTATEMENTSRULE411. LIABILITYINSURANCE.RULE412. SEX-OFFENSE CASES: THE VICTIM’S SEXUAL BEHAVIOR OR
PREDISPOSITION.RULE413. PROTECTIONOFPRIVACYINCOURTPROCEEDINGS.ARTICLEV.PRIVILEGESRULE501. PRIVILEGESRECOGNIZEDONLYASPROVIDEDBYLAWRULE502. LAWYER-CLIENTPRIVILEGERULE503. HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL–, MENTAL HEALTH
PROFESSIONAL–, AND LICENSED COUNSELINGPROFESSIONAL-PATIENTPRIVILEGE
RULE504. SPOUSALPRIVILEGERULE505. RELIGIOUSPRIVILEGE
3
RULE506. POLITICALVOTERULE507. TRADESECRETSRULE508. SECRETS OF STATE AND OTHER OFFICIAL INFORMATION;
GOVERNMENTALPRIVILEGESRULE509. IDENTITYOFINFORMANTRULE510. WAIVEROFPRIVILEGEBYVOLUNTARYDISCLOSURERULE511. PRIVILEGED MATTER DISCLOSED UNDER COMPULSION OR
WITHOUTOPPORTUNITYTOCLAIMTHEPRIVILEGERULE512. COMMENTUPONORINFERENCEFROMCLAIMOFPRIVILEGE
INCRIMINALCASES;INSTRUCTIONRULE513. CLAIMOFPRIVILEGEINCIVILCASESRULE514. MEDIATOR’SPRIVILEGEARTICLEVI.WITNESSESRULE601. COMPETENCYTOTESTIFYINGENERALRULE602. NEEDFORPERSONALKNOWLEDGERULE603. OATHORAFFIRMATIONTOTESTIFYTRUTHFULLYRULE604. INTERPRETERSRULE605. JUDGE’SCOMPETENCYASAWITNESSRULE606. JUROR’SCOMPETENCYASAWITNESSRULE607. WHOMAYIMPEACHAWITNESS
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RULE608. A WITNESS’S CHARACTER FOR TRUTHFULNESS ORUNTRUTHFULNESS
RULE609. IMPEACHMENTBYEVIDENCEOFACRIMINALCONVICTIONRULE610. RELIGIOUSBELIEFSOROPINIONSRULE611. MODE AND ORDER OF EXAMINING WITNESSES AND
PRESENTINGEVIDENCERULE612. WRITINGUSEDTOREFRESHAWITNESS’SMEMORYRULE613. WITNESS’SPRIORSTATEMENTSRULE614. COURT’SCALLINGOREXAMININGAWITNESSRULE615. EXCLUDINGWITNESSESRULE616. ILLUSTRATIVEAIDSARTICLEVII.OPINIONSANDEXPERTTESTIMONYRULE701. OPINIONTESTIMONYBYLAYWITNESSESRULE702. TESTIMONYBYEXPERTWITNESSESRULE703. BASISOFANEXPERT’SOPINIONTESTIMONYRULE704. OPINIONONANULTIMATEISSUERULE705. DISCLOSINGTHEFACTSORDATAUNDERLYINGANEXPERT’S
OPINIONRULE706. COURT-APPOINTEDEXPERTWITNESSESARTICLEVIII.HEARSAYRULE801. DEFINITIONS THAT APPLY TO THIS ARTICLE; EXCLUSIONS
FROMHEARSAY
5
RULE802. THERULEAGAINSTHEARSAYRULE803. EXCEPTIONSTOTHERULEAGAINSTHEARSAY—REGARDLESS
OFWHETHERTHEDECLARANTISAVAILABLEASAWITNESSRULE804. EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE AGAINST HEARSAY—WHEN THE
DECLARANTISUNAVAILABLEASAWITNESSRULE805. HEARSAYWITHINHEARSAYRULE806. ATTACKING AND SUPPORTING THE DECLARANT’S
CREDIBILITYARTICLEIX.AUTHENTICATIONANDIDENTIFICATIONRULE901. AUTHENTICATINGORIDENTIFYINGEVIDENCERULE902. EVIDENCETHATISSELF-AUTHENTICATINGRULE903. SUBSCRIBINGWITNESS’TESTIMONYUNNECESSARYARTICLEX. CONTENTS OF WRITINGS, RECORDINGS, AND
PHOTOGRAPHSRULE1001. DEFINITIONSTHATAPPLYTOTHISARTICLERULE1002. REQUIREMENTOFTHEORIGINALRULE1003. RESERVEDRULE1004. ADMISSIBILITYOFOTHEREVIDENCEOFCONTENTRULE1005. COPIESOFPUBLICRECORDSTOPROVECONTENTRULE1006. SUMMARIESTOPROVECONTENTRULE1007. TESTIMONYORSTATEMENTOFAPARTYTOPROVECONTENT
6
RULE1008. FUNCTIONSOFCOURTANDJURYARTICLEXI.MISCELLANEOUSRULES
7
MAINERULESOFEVIDENCE
ARTICLEI.GENERALPROVISIONS
RULE101.APPLICABILITY;DEFINITIONS;TITLE(a) Rulesapplicable.Exceptasotherwiseprovidedin(b),theserules
applytoallactionsandproceedingsbefore:
(1) TheSupremeJudicialCourtwhennotsittingastheLawCourt;(2) TheSuperiorCourt;(3) TheDistrictCourt;and(4) TheProbateCourt.
(b) Rulesinapplicable.Theserules—exceptforthosegoverning
privilege—donotapplytothefollowing:
(1) Thecourt’sdeterminationunderRule104(a)ofapreliminaryquestionoffactgoverningadmissibility;
(2) Grandjuryproceedings;(3) JuvenileproceedingsundertheMaineJuvenileCodeotherthan
(A) Probablecausedeterminationsinbindoverhearings;or(B) Adjudicatoryhearings;
(4) StatutorysmallclaimsintheDistrictCourt;(5) Proceedingsonapplicationsforwarrants;(6) Sentencingproceedings;(7) Proceedingsregardingrevocation,modification,orterminationof
probation,parole,administrativereleaseordeferreddisposition;
8
(8) Bailproceedings;(9) Proceedingstodetermineprobablecause;(10) Contemptproceedingsinwhichthecourtmayactsummarily;and(11) ProceedingsexemptfromapplicabilityoftheRulesofEvidenceby
statute.(c) Definitions.Intheserules:
(1) “Civilcase”meansacivilactionorproceeding;(2) “Criminalcase”includesacriminalproceeding;(3) “Publicoffice”includesapublicagency;(4) “Record”includesamemorandum,report,ordatacompilation;(5) A“ruleprescribedbytheSupremeJudicialCourt”meansarule
adoptedbytheMaineSupremeJudicialCourtunderstatutoryorinherentauthority;and
(6) Areferencetoanykindofwrittenmaterialoranyothermedium
includeselectronicallystoredinformation.(d) Title.TheserulesmaybeknownandcitedastheMaineRulesofEvidence.
RULE102.PURPOSETheserulesshouldbeconstruedsoastoadministereveryproceedingfairly,eliminate unjustifiable expense and delay, and promote the development ofevidence law, to the end of ascertaining the truth and securing a justdetermination.
9
RULE103.RULINGSONEVIDENCE(a) Preservingaclaimoferror.Apartymayclaimerrorinarulingto
admitorexcludeevidenceonlyiftheerroraffectsasubstantialrightofthepartyand:
(1) Iftherulingadmitsevidence,aparty,ontherecord:
(A) Timelyobjectsormovestostrike;and
(B) Statesthespecificground,unlessitwasapparentfromthe
context;or
(2) Iftherulingexcludesevidence,apartyinformsthecourtofitssubstancebyanofferofproof,unlessthesubstancewasapparentfromthecontext.
(b) Court’sstatementabouttheruling;directinganofferofproof.The
court may make any statement about the character or form of theevidence,theobjectionmade,andtheruling.Thecourtmaydirectthatanofferofproofbemadeinquestion-and-answerform.
(c) Preventing the jury from hearing inadmissible evidence. To the
extentpracticable,thecourtmustconductajurytrialsothatinadmissibleevidenceisnotsuggestedtothejurybyanymeans.
(d) Takingnoticeofplainerror.1 Acourtmaytakenoticeofanobvious
error affecting a substantial right, even if the claim of error was notproperlypreserved.
(e) Effectofpretrialruling. Apretrialobjectiontoorprofferofevidence
mustbetimelyrenewedattrialunlessthecourtstatesontherecord,orthecontextclearlydemonstrates,thatarulingontheobjectionorprofferisfinal.
1Theterm“plainerror”isderivedfromtheFederalRule.Theterm“obviouserror”isusedin
Statepractice.SeeStatev.Dolloff,2012ME130,¶35,58A.2d1032.
10
RULE104.PRELIMINARYQUESTIONS(a) In general. The court must decide any preliminary question about
whether a witness is qualified, a privilege exists, or evidence isadmissible.
(b) Relevance that depends on a fact. When the relevance of evidence
dependsonwhetherafactexists,proofmustbeintroducedsufficienttosupport a finding that the fact does exist. The court may admit theproposedevidenceontheconditionthattheproofbeintroducedlater.
(c) Conductingahearingsothatthejurycannothearit.Thecourtmust
conductanyhearingonapreliminaryquestionso that the jurycannothearitif:
(1) Thehearinginvolvestheadmissibilityofaconfession;
(2) Adefendantinacriminalcaseisawitnessandsorequests;or
(3) Justicesorequires.
(d) Cross-examiningadefendant ina criminal case. By testifyingona
preliminary question, a defendant in a criminal case does not becomesubjecttocross-examinationonotherissuesinthecase.
(e) Evidencerelevanttoweightandcredibility.Thisruledoesnotlimita
party’srighttointroducebeforethejuryevidencethatisrelevanttotheweightorcredibilityofotherevidence.
RULE105.LIMITINGEVIDENCETHATISNOTADMISSIBLEAGAINST
OTHERPARTIESORFOROTHERPURPOSESIfthecourtadmitsevidencethatisadmissibleagainstapartyorforapurpose—but not against another party or for another purpose—the court, on timelyrequest,must restrict the evidence to itsproper scope and instruct the juryaccordingly.
11
In a criminal case tried to a jury, evidence inadmissible as toonedefendantmust not be admitted as to other defendants unless all references to thedefendantastowhomitisinadmissiblehavebeeneffectivelydeleted.
RULE106.REMAINDEROFORRELATEDWRITINGSORRECORDEDSTATEMENTS
If apartyutilizes in court all orpartof awritingor recorded statement, anadversepartymayrequiretheintroduction,atthattime,ofanyotherpart—orany other writing or recorded statement—that in fairness ought to beconsideredatthetime.
ARTICLEII.JUDICIALNOTICE
RULE201.JUDICIALNOTICEOFADJUDICATIVEFACTS(a) Scope.Thisrulegovernsjudicialnoticeofanadjudicativefactonly,not
alegislativefact.(b) Kindsoffactsthatmaybejudiciallynoticed.Thecourtmayjudicially
noticeafactthatisnotsubjecttoreasonabledisputebecauseit:
(1) Isgenerallyknownwithinthetrialcourt’sterritorialjurisdiction;or
(2) Can be accurately and readily determined from sources whose
accuracycannotreasonablybequestioned.(c) Takingnotice.Thecourt:
(1) Maytakejudicialnoticeonitsown;or
(2) Must take judicial notice if a party requests it and the court issuppliedwiththenecessaryinformation.
(d) Timing.Thecourtmaytakejudicialnoticeatanystageofthe
proceeding.
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(e) Opportunity tobeheard. Ontimelyrequest,apartyisentitledtobeheardontheproprietyoftakingjudicialnoticeandthenatureofthefacttobenoticed.Ifthecourttakesjudicialnoticebeforenotifyingaparty,theparty,onrequest,isstillentitledtobeheard.
(f) Instructing the jury. The court must instruct the jury to accept the
noticedfactasconclusive.
ARTICLEIII.PRESUMPTIONS
RULE301.PRESUMPTIONSINCIVILCASESGENERALLY(a) Effect.Inacivilcase,unlessastatuteortheserulesprovideotherwise,
the party against whom a presumption is directed has the burden ofprovingthatthenonexistenceofthepresumedfactismoreprobablethanitsexistence.
(b) Primafacieevidence.Astatuteprovidingthatafactorgroupoffactsis
primafacieevidenceofanotherfactestablishesapresumptionwithinthemeaningofthisrule.
(c) Conflicting presumptions. If two presumptions conflict with each
other, the court must apply the presumption that is more stronglysupportedbypolicyandlogic.Ifneitherpresumptionismorestronglysupportedbypolicyandlogic,bothpresumptionsmustbedisregarded.
RULE302.PRESUMPTIONOFLEGITIMACY
A child conceived by or born to a woman while she is lawfully married ispresumedtobethechildofthewomanandherspouseunlessthecontraryisestablishedbyproofbeyondareasonabledoubt.
RULE303.PRESUMPTIONSINCRIMINALCASES
(a) Scope. Thisrulegovernstheapplicationofstatutoryandcommonlawpresumptions,includingstatutoryprovisionsthatcertainfactsareprimafacieevidenceofotherfactsorofguiltincriminalcases.
(b) Submission to jury. The court may not direct a verdict against anaccusedbasedonapresumptionorstatutoryprovisionsthatcertainfacts
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areprimafacieevidenceofotherfactsorofguilt.Thecourtmaypermita jury to infer guilt or a fact relevant to guilt based on a statutory orcommonlawpresumptionorprimafacieevidence, if theevidenceasawholesupportsguiltbeyondareasonabledoubt.
(c) Instructingthejury.Whenevertheexistenceofapresumedfactagainstthe accused is submitted to the jury, the court in instructing the juryshould avoid charging in terms of a presumption. The charge mustinclude an instruction that the jurorsmaydrawreasonable inferencesfrom facts proved beyond a reasonable doubt and may convict theaccusedinrelianceuponaninferenceoffactiftheyconcludethatsuchinferenceisvalidandif theinferenceconvincesthemofguiltbeyondareasonabledoubtandnototherwise.
ARTICLEIV.RELEVANCEANDITSLIMITS
RULE401.TESTFORRELEVANTEVIDENCE
Evidenceisrelevantif:(a) Ithasanytendencytomakeafactmoreorlessprobablethanitwould
bewithouttheevidence;and(b) Thefactisofconsequenceindeterminingtheaction.
RULE402.GENERALADMISSIBILITYOFRELEVANTEVIDENCERelevantevidenceisadmissibleunlessanyofthefollowingprovidesotherwise:• Afederalorstatestatute;• Theserules;or• Otherrulesapplicableinthecourtsofthisstate.Irrelevantevidenceisnotadmissible.
14
RULE403.EXCLUDINGRELEVANTEVIDENCEFORPREJUDICE,CONFUSION,WASTEOFTIME,OROTHERREASONS
Thecourtmayexcluderelevantevidenceifitsprobativevalueissubstantiallyoutweighed by a danger of one or more of the following: unfair prejudice,confusing the issues, misleading the jury, undue delay, wasting time, orneedlesslypresentingcumulativeevidence.
RULE404.CHARACTEREVIDENCE;CRIMESOROTHERACTS(a) Characterevidence.
(1) Prohibiteduses.Evidenceofaperson’scharacterorcharactertraitisnotadmissibletoprovethatonaparticularoccasionthepersonactedinaccordancewiththecharacterortrait.
(2) Exceptionforadefendantinacriminalcase.Adefendantmayoffer
evidenceof thedefendant’spertinent trait,and if theevidence isadmitted,theprosecutormayofferevidencetorebutit.
(3) Exceptionsforawitness.Evidenceofawitness’scharactermaybe
admittedunderRules607,608,and609.
(b) Crimes,wrongs,orotheracts.Evidenceofacrime,wrong,orotheractisnotadmissibletoproveaperson’scharacterinordertoshowthatonaparticularoccasionthepersonactedinaccordancewiththecharacter.
RULE405.METHODSOFPROVINGCHARACTER
(a) Byreputation.Whenevidenceofaperson’scharacterorcharactertrait
is admissible, it may be proved by testimony about the person’sreputation.Oncross-examinationofthecharacterwitness,thecourtmayallowaninquiryintorelevantspecificinstancesoftheperson’sconduct.
(b) By specific instances of conduct. When a person’s character or
charactertraitisanessentialelementofacharge,claim,ordefense,thecharacterortraitmayalsobeprovedbyrelevantspecificinstancesoftheperson’sconduct.
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RULE406.HABIT;ROUTINEPRACTICE(a) Admissibility.Evidenceofaperson’shabitoranorganization’sroutine
practice may be admitted to prove that on a particular occasion theperson or organization acted in accordance with the habit or routinepractice.Thecourtmayadmitthisevidenceregardlessofwhetheritiscorroboratedorwhethertherewasaneyewitness.
(b) Methodofproof.Habitorroutinepracticemaybeprovedbyproofofa
sufficientnumberof instancesofconduct tosupporta finding that thehabitexistedorthatthepracticewasroutine.
RULE407.SUBSEQUENTREMEDIALMEASURES;
NOTIFICATIONOFDEFECT(a) Subsequentremedialmeasures.Whenmeasuresaretakenthatwould
havemadeanearlierinjuryorharmlesslikelytooccur,evidenceofthesubsequentmeasuresisnotadmissibletoprove:
(1) Negligence; (2) Culpableconduct; (3) Adefectinaproductoritsdesign;or (4) Aneedforawarningorinstruction.
But the court may admit this evidence for another purpose, such asimpeachment or—if disputed—proving ownership, control, or thefeasibilityofprecautionarymeasures.
(b) Notification of defect. Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of this rule, amanufacturer’swrittennotificationtopurchasersofadefectinitsproductisadmissibletoprovetheexistenceofthedefect.
RULE408.COMPROMISEOFFERSANDNEGOTIATIONS
(a) Settlementdiscussions.Evidenceofthefollowingisnotadmissible—
on behalf of any party—either to prove or disprove the validity or
16
amount of a disputed claim or to impeach by a prior inconsistentstatementoracontradiction:
(1) Furnishing, promising, or offering—or accepting, promising to
accept, or offering to accept—a valuable consideration incompromisingorattemptingtocompromisetheclaim;and
(2) Conductorastatementmadeduringcompromisenegotiationsor
inmediationabouttheclaim.(b) Mediation.Evidenceofconductorstatementsbyanypartyormediator
atamediationsession:
(1) Undertaken to comply with any statute, court rule, oradministrativeagencyrule;
(2) Towhichthepartieshavebeenreferredbyacourt,administrative
agency,orarbitrator;or(3) In which the parties and mediator have agreed in writing or
electronicallytomediatewithanexpectationofconfidentiality;
Isnotadmissibleintheproceedingwithrespecttowhichthemediationwasheldorinanyotherproceedingbetweenthepartiestothemediationthatinvolvesthesubjectmatterofthemediationforanypurposeotherthantoprove:• Fraud;• Duress;• Othercausetoinvalidatethemediationresult;or• Existenceofanagreement.
RULE409.OFFERSTOPAYMEDICALANDSIMILAREXPENSES
Evidenceoffurnishing,promisingtopay,orofferingtopaymedical,hospital,orsimilarexpensesresultingfromaninjuryisnotadmissibletoproveliabilityfortheinjury.
17
RULE410.PLEAS,PLEADISCUSSIONS,ANDRELATEDSTATEMENTSInacivilorcriminalcase,evidenceofthefollowingisnotadmissibleagainstthepersonwhomadethepleaorparticipatedinthepleadiscussions:(a) Aguiltypleathatwaslaterwithdrawn;(b) Anolocontendereplea;(c) Astatementmadeinconnectionwithaguiltyornolocontenderepleaor
duringaproceedingoneitherofthosepleasunderMaineRuleofCriminalProcedure11oracomparableFederalorstateprocedure;or
(d) Anoffertopleadguiltyornolocontendere.
RULE411.LIABILITYINSURANCEEvidencethatapersonwasorwasnotinsuredagainstliabilityisnotadmissibletoprovewhetherthepersonactednegligentlyorotherwisewrongfully.
RULE412.SEX-OFFENSECASES:THEVICTIM’SSEXUALBEHAVIORORPREDISPOSITION
(a) Prohibiteduses. Thefollowingevidenceisnotadmissibleinacivilor
criminalproceedinginvolvingallegedsexualmisconduct:
(1) Evidenceofferedtoprovethatanallegedvictimengagedinothersexualbehavior;or
(2) Evidenceofferedtoproveanallegedvictim’ssexualpredisposition.
(b) Exceptions.
(1) Criminalcases. Thecourtmayadmit the followingevidence in acriminalcase:
(A) Evidence of specific instances of an alleged victim’s sexual
behavior, if offered to prove that someone other than the
18
defendantwasthesourceofsemen,injury,orotherphysicalevidence;
(B) Evidence of specific instances of an alleged victim’s sexual
behaviorwith respect to the person accused of the sexualmisconduct,ifofferedbythedefendanttoproveconsentorifofferedbytheprosecutor;and
(C) Evidence whose exclusion would violate the defendant’s
constitutionalrights.
(2) Civilcases.Inacivilcase,thecourtmayadmitevidenceofspecificinstancesofsexualbehaviorbyanallegedvictimofferedtoproveanallegedvictim’ssexualbehaviororsexualpredisposition if itsprobativevaluesubstantiallyoutweighsthedangerofharmtoanyvictimandofunfairprejudicetoanyparty.
RULE413.PROTECTIONOFPRIVACYINCOURTPROCEEDINGS
(a) Evidenceoftheidentity,address,employmentorlocationofanyperson
mustbeexcludedifsuchpersonrequeststheexclusionofsuchevidenceand:
(1) The court is notified that there is a court order in effect that
prohibitscontactbetweensuchpersonandanotherperson;or(2) It is alleged under oath, orally or in writing, that such person’s
health,safetyorlibertywouldbejeopardizedbythedisclosureofsuchinformation,andthecourtdeterminesthatdisclosureofsuchinformationwould jeopardize such person as alleged unless thecourtfindsthatsuchevidenceisofamaterialfactessentialtothedeterminationoftheproceeding.
(b) Thecourtmustconductallproceedingstodeterminetheadmissibilityof
evidenceunderthisruleinamannersoasnottodisclosetheinformationsoughttobeexcluded,unlessthecourtfindsthataparty’srighttodueprocess and a fair hearingwould be violated if the information is notdisclosed.
19
(c) If thecourtdetermines that informationotherwise inadmissibleunderthisRulemustbeadmittedasevidenceofamaterialfactessentialtothedeterminationoftheproceedings,thecourtmustreceivesuchevidenceincamera.InchildprotectiveproceedingspursuanttoTitle22,Chapter1071oftheMaineRevisedStatutes,suchevidencemustalsobereceivedoutsideof thepresenceofanyperson,and theattorneyofanyperson,who:
(1) Is subject to a court order prohibiting contact with the personrequestingexclusionoftheevidence;or
(2) Constitutes a risk to the health, safety, or liberty of the personrequestingexclusionoftheevidence.
(d) Personswhomay object to the admission of evidence under this ruleinclude:
(1) Partiestotheproceeding;
(2) Parties’attorneys; (3) Aguardianadlitem; (4) Anypersoncalledasawitness; (5) Ajuror;and
(6) Anyperson,who,althoughnotawitnessorparty,isasubjectoftheproceeding,suchasachildoraprotectedperson.
ARTICLEV.PRIVILEGES
RULE501.PRIVILEGESRECOGNIZEDONLYASPROVIDEDBYLAW
Unless an applicable state or federal constitution, statute, or rule providesotherwise,nopersonhasaprivilegeto:(a) Refusetobeawitness;
(b) Refusetodiscloseanymatter;
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(c) Refusetoproduceanobjectorwriting;or(d) Preventanotherfromtestifyingasawitness,fromdisclosinganymatter,
orfromproducinganobjectorwriting.
RULE502.LAWYER-CLIENTPRIVILEGE(a) Definitions.Asusedinthisrule:
(1) A“client”is:
(A) Aperson;(B) Apublicofficer;
(C) Acorporation;
(D) Anassociation;or
(E) Anyotherorganizationorentity,publicorprivate;
To whom a lawyer renders professional legal services, or whoconsultswithalawyerwithaviewtowardobtainingprofessionallegalservicesfromthelawyer.
(2) A“representativeof theclient” isapersonwhohasauthorityon
behalfoftheclientto:
(A) Obtainprofessionallegalservices;or(B) Actonadvicerenderedaspartofprofessionallegalservices.
(3) A“lawyer”is:
(A) Apersonauthorizedtopracticelawinanystateornation;or(B) A person whom the client reasonably believes to beauthorizedtopracticelawinanystateornation.
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(4) A“representativeofthelawyer”isapersonwhoisemployedbythe
lawyer to assist the lawyer in the renditionofprofessional legalservices.
(5) A communication is “confidential” if it is made to facilitate the
provisionof legalservices to theclientand isnot intended tobedisclosed toany thirdpartyother than those towhomtheclientrevealedtheinformationintheprocessofobtainingprofessionallegalservices.
(b) Generalrule.Aclienthasaprivilegetorefusetodisclose,andtopreventany other person from disclosing, the contents of any confidentialcommunication:
(1) Betweentheclientorclient’srepresentativeandtheclient’slawyerorlawyer’srepresentative;
(2) Betweenthelawyerandthelawyer’srepresentative;
(3) Bytheclient,theclient’srepresentative,theclient’slawyer,orthe
lawyer’srepresentativetoalawyerrepresentinganotherpartyinthatpendingactionconcerningamatterofcommoninterest inapendingaction;
(4) Betweentheclient’srepresentatives,orbetweentheclientandhis
orherrepresentative;or(5) Amongtheclient’slawyersandthoselawyers’representatives.
(c) Whomayclaimtheprivilege.
(1) Theprivilegemaybeclaimedby:
(A) Theclient;(B) Theclient’sguardianorconservator;
22
(C) Theclient’spersonalrepresentative,iftheclientisdeceased;or
(D) Anofficer,manager,trustee,orotheragentauthorizedtoact
on behalf of a legal entity—such as a corporation, limitedliabilitycompany,partnership,ortrust—inlegalmattersorin obtaining the services of, or communicating with, anattorneyfortheentity,whetherornottheentitystillexists.
(2) There is a presumption that the personwhowas the lawyer orlawyer’s representative at the time of the communication inquestionhasauthoritytoclaimtheprivilegeontheclient’sbehalf.
(d) Exceptions. The lawyer-client privilege is subject to the following
exceptions:(1) FurtheranceofCrimeorFraud.Thelawyer-clientprivilegedoesnot
applyiftheclientsoughtorobtainedthelawyer’sservicestohelpapersonplanorcommitwhattheclientkneworreasonablyshouldhaveknownwasacrimeorfraud.
(2) Claimants Through Same Deceased Client. The lawyer-client
privilegedoesnotapplytoanycommunicationrelevanttoanissuebetweenpartieswhoclaimthroughthesamedeceasedclient.
(3) BreachofDutybyLawyerorClient.Thelawyer-clientprivilegedoes
notcoveranycommunicationrelevanttoanissueofthelawyer’sbreachofadutytotheclient,oroftheclient’sbreachofadutytothelawyer.
(4) DocumentAttestedbyLawyer.Thelawyer-clientprivilegedoesnot
applytoacommunicationrelevanttoanissueaboutadocumenttowhichthelawyerisanattestingwitness.
(5) Joint Clients. When a communication is offered in an action
betweenclientswhowererepresented jointlyby the lawyer, thelawyer-clientprivilegedoesnotprotectthatcommunicationifitisrelevanttoamatterofcommoninterestbetweenclients,andifthe
23
communicationwasmadebyanyoneoftheclientstothelawyerretainedorconsultedaspartofajointrepresentation.
(6) PublicOfficerorAgency.Thelawyer-clientprivilegedoesnotapply
to communications between a public officer or agency and itslawyers. However, if the court determines that disclosure willseriouslyimpairthepublicofficer’soragency’sabilitytoprocessaclaimorcarryoutapendinginvestigation,litigation,orproceedingin the public interest, the lawyer-client privilege will apply tocommunications concerning the pending investigation, claim, oraction.
RULE503.HEALTHCAREPROFESSIONAL,MENTALHEALTHPROFESSIONAL,ANDLICENSEDCOUNSELINGPROFESSIONAL
PATIENTPRIVILEGE(a) Definitions.Asusedinthisrule:
(1) A “patient” is a person who consults, is examined by, or isinterviewedby:
(A) Ahealthcareprofessional;(B) Amentalhealthprofessional;or
(C) Alicensedcounselingprofessional.
(2) A“healthcareprofessional”is:
(A) Apersonauthorizedtopracticeasaphysician;(B) Alicensedphysician’sassistant;or
(C) Alicensednursepractitioner;
UnderMainelaw,orundersubstantiallysimilar lawofanyotherstate or nation, while that person is practicing the health careprofessionforwhichheorsheislicensed.
24
(3) A“mentalhealthprofessional”is:
(A) A health care professional engaged in the diagnosis ortreatment of a mental or emotional condition, includingalcoholordrugaddiction;
(B) A person licensed or certified as a psychologist orpsychological examiner under Maine state law or undersubstantially similar law of any state or nation whilepracticingassuch;
(C) A person licensed as a clinical social worker underMaine
state laworundersubstantiallysimilar lawofanystateornationwhilepracticingassuch.
(4) A“licensedcounselingprofessional”is:
(A) A“licensedprofessionalcounselor”;(B) A“licensedclinicalprofessionalcounselor”;
(C) A“licensedmarriageandfamilytherapist”or;
(D) A“licensedpastoralcounselor”;
Who is licensed to diagnose and treat mental health disorders,intra- and inter-personal problems, or other dysfunctionalbehaviorofasocialandspiritualnatureunder32M.R.S.§13858,orunderasubstantiallysimilarlawofanyotherstateornation,whilethatpersonispracticingthecounselingprofessionforwhichheorsheislicensed.
(5) A communication is “confidential” if it was not intended to be
disclosedtoanythirdpersons,otherthan:
(A) Those who were present to further the interests of thepatientintheconsultation,examination,orinterview;
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(B) Those who were reasonably necessary to make thecommunication;or
(C) Those who are participating in the diagnosis and/or
treatment under the direction of the health care, mentalhealth, or licensed counseling professional. This includesmembersofthepatient’sfamily.
(b) General rule. A patient has a privilege to refuse to disclose, and to
preventanyotherpersonfromdisclosing,confidentialcommunicationsmade for the purpose of diagnosing or treating the patient’s physical,mental, or emotional condition, including alcohol or drug addiction,betweenoramongthepatientand:
(1) Thepatient’shealthcareprofessional,mentalhealthprofessional,
orlicensedcounselingprofessional;and(2) Thosewhowereparticipatinginthediagnosisortreatmentatthe
directionofthehealthcare,mentalhealth,orlicensedcounselingprofessional.Thisincludesmembersofthepatient’sfamily.
(c) Criminal defendant’s privilege. When the court orders that the
defendant’smentalconditionbeexaminedinordertodeterminecriminalresponsibility,thedefendanthasaprivilegetorefusetodisclose,andtoprevent others from disclosing, any communicationmade during thatexaminationthatconcernstheoffensecharged.
(d) Whomayclaimtheprivilege.
(1) Theprivilegemaybeclaimedby:
(A) Thepatient;(B) Thepatient’sguardianorconservator;or
(C) The patient’s personal representative, if the client is
deceased.
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(2) Thereisapresumptionthatthepersonwhowasthehealthcare,mentalhealth,orlicensedcounselingprofessionalatthetimeofthecommunicationinquestionhasauthoritytoclaimtheprivilegeonbehalfofthepatient.
(e) Exceptions.Theprivilegeforcommunicationsbetweenapatientanda
healthcareprofessional,amentalhealthcareprofessional,oralicensedcounselingprofessionalissubjecttothefollowingexceptions:
(1) Proceedingsforhospitalization.Theprivilegeunderthisruledoes
notapplytocommunicationsrelevanttoanissueinproceedingstohospitalize the patient for mental illness if the professional hasdeterminedinthecourseofdiagnosisortreatmentthatthepatientneedstobehospitalized.
(2) Examinationbyorderofcourt.Ifthecourtordersanevaluationof
apatient’sphysical,mental, or emotional condition,whether thepatient is a party or a witness, the privilege does not apply tocommunicationsmadeduringthecourseofthatevaluation,unlessthe court orders otherwise. However, a criminal defendant’scommunicationsduring thecourseofacourt-orderedevaluationorexaminationarestillprivilegedtotheextentprovidedbysection(c)ofthisrule.
(3) Conditionanelementofclaimordefense.Theprivilegeunderthis
ruledoes not apply to communications relevant to an issueof aphysical,mental,oremotionalconditionofthepatientif:
(A) Theconditionisanelementofthepatient’sclaimordefense;or(B) Theconditionisanelementoftheclaimordefenseof:
(i) Anypartyclaimingthroughorunderthepatient;
(ii) Anypartyclaimingbecauseofthepatient’scondition;
(iii) Anypartyclaimingasabeneficiaryofthepatient;or
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(iv) Any party claiming through a contract to which thepatientisorwasaparty.
(4) After the patient’s death. The privilege does not apply after the
patient’s death in any proceeding in which any party puts thepatient’sphysical,mental,oremotionalconditioninissue.
RULE504.SPOUSALPRIVILEGE
(a) Definition.Acommunicationbyamarriedpersonisconfidentialif:(1) Thepersonmakesitprivatelytotheperson’sspouse,and
(2) Thepersonmakingitdoesnotintendforittobedisclosedtoany
otherperson.
(b) Generalrule.Amarriedpersonhasaprivilegetopreventtheperson’sspousefromdisclosingthecontentsofanyconfidentialcommunicationbetweenthepersonandthespouse.
(c) Who may claim the privilege. The person who made the
communicationcanclaimtheprivilege.Thespousealsohaspresumptiveauthoritytoclaimtheprivilegeontheperson’sbehalf.
(d) Exceptions.Thespousalprivilegeissubjecttothefollowingexceptions:
(1) Thespousalprivilegedoesnotapplyinaproceedinginwhichonespouseischargedwithacrimeagainstthepersonorpropertyof:
(A) Theotherspouse;
(B) Achildofeitherspouse;
(C) Anypersonresidingineitherspouse’shousehold;or
(D) Anythirdperson,ifthecrimeagainstthatpersonorproperty
occurred in the course of committing a crime against the
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otherspouse,achildofeitherspouse,oranypersonresidingineitherspouse’shousehold.
(2) Thespousalprivilegedoesnotapplyinacivilproceedingwhenthe
spousesareadverseparties.
RULE505.RELIGIOUSPRIVILEGE(a) Definitions.Asusedinthisrule:
(1) A“memberoftheclergy”isanindividualwhohasbeenordainedor accredited as a spiritual advisor, counselor, or leader by anyreligiousorganizationestablishedonthebasisofacommunityoffaithandbelief,doctrines,andpracticesofareligiouscharacter,oranindividualreasonablybelievedsotobebythepersonconsultingthatindividual.
(2) Acommunicationis“confidential”if:
(A) Itismadeprivately;and(B) Itisnotintendedfordisclosureotherthantootherpersons
presentinfurtheranceofthepurposeofthecommunication.
(b) General rule. A person has a privilege to refuse to disclose, and topreventanyotherpersonfromdisclosing,aconfidentialcommunicationmadetoamemberoftheclergywhowasactingasaspiritualadviseratthetimeofthecommunication.
(c) Whomayclaimtheprivilege.Theprivilegecanbeclaimedby:
(1) Thepersonwhomadethecommunication;
(2) Theperson’sguardianorconservator;or
(3) Theperson’spersonalrepresentative,ifthepersonisdeceased.
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Thepersonwhowasaclergymemberatthetimeofthecommunicationalso has presumptive authority to claim the privilege on behalf of thepersonwhomadethecommunication.
RULE506.POLITICALVOTE
(a) Generalrule.Everypersonhasaprivilegetorefusetodisclosehisor
herownvoteatapoliticalelectionconductedbysecretballot.(b) Exceptions.Theprivilegedoesnotapplyifthecourt:(1) Findsthatthevotewascastillegally;or
(2) Determines that thedisclosure should be compelledpursuant to
stateelectionlaws.
RULE507.TRADESECRETS(a) General rule. A person has a privilege to refuse to disclose, and topreventanyotherpersonfromdisclosing,atradesecretthatthepersonowns.
(b) Whomayclaimtheprivilege.Theprivilegemaybeclaimedby:(1) Thepersonwhoownsthetradesecret;
(2) Theperson’sagent;or
(3) Theperson’semployee.
(c) Exceptions.Thetradesecretsprivilegedoesnotapplyifitwillconcealfraudorotherwiseworkinjustice.Ifthecourtdirectsthatthetradesecretbedisclosed, itmusttakemeasurestoprotecttheinterestsofthetradesecret’sowner,theotherparties,andjustice.
RULE508.SECRETSOFSTATEANDOTHEROFFICIAL
INFORMATION;GOVERNMENTALPRIVILEGES(a) Privilege.IfthefederalorMaineconstitution,orafederalorMaine
statute,createsagovernmentalprivilege,apersonmayclaimthe
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privilegepursuanttotheapplicableprovisionoflaw.Thereisnoothergovernmentalprivilege.
(b) Effectofsustainingaclaimofgovernmentalprivilege. If thecourtsustains a claim of governmental privilege and thereby appears todeprive another party ofmaterial evidence, the courtmust make anyordersrequiredbytheinterestsofjustice.Theseordersmayinclude:
(1) Strikingthetestimonyofawitness;
(2) Declaringamistrial;
(3) Makingafindingonanissueastowhichtheevidencewasrelevant;
or
(4) Dismissingtheaction.
RULE509.IDENTITYOFINFORMANT(a) Ruleofprivilegeanddefinitions.
(1) Ruleofprivilege.TheUnitedStates,astateorsubdivisionthereof,or any foreign country has a privilege to refuse to disclose theidentityofaninformant.
(2) Definitions.Asusedinthisrule,an“informant”isapersonwhohas
furnishedinformationrelatingtoorassistinginaninvestigationofapossibleviolationoflawto:
(A) Alawenforcementofficerconductinganinvestigation;or(B) Amemberofalegislativecommitteeor itsstaffconducting
aninvestigation.
(b) Whomay claim the privilege. An authorized representative of thepublicentitythatreceivedtheinformationmayclaimtheprivilege.
(c) Exceptions.Theprivilegeoftheidentityofaninformantdoesnotapply
if:
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(1) Theinformant’sidentityorhisorherinterestintheinvestigationhas already been revealed to those who might resent thecommunication;or
(2) Theinformantappearsasawitnessforthestate.
(d) Testimonyonrelevant issue. If itappearsthataninformantmaybeabletogiverelevanttestimonyinacivilorcriminalcasetowhichapublicentityisaparty,thepublicentitymayinvoketheprivilege.Ifthepublicentityinvokestheprivilege:
(1) The courtmay give the public entity an opportunity to show, incamera and on the record, whether the informant can, in fact,supplytherelevanttestimony.Theshowingmaybeintheformofaffidavits or, if the court finds that the matter cannot besatisfactorilyresolvedwithaffidavits,throughtestimony.
(2) If the court finds that there is a reasonable probability that theinformercangiverelevanttestimony,thecourtmay,eitheronitsownoronmotionofaparty,enteranorderrequiringthepublicentitytodisclosetheidentityoftheinformantwithinaspecifictimeandprovidingrelieftootherpartiesintheeventthepublicentityelectsnottodisclosetheidentityoftheinformantwithinthetimespecified.
(A) Inacriminalcase,thereliefmayincludeoneormoreofthefollowing:
(i) Granting the defendant additional time or acontinuance;
(ii) Relieving the defendant from making disclosuresotherwiserequired;
(iii) Prohibiting theprosecution from introducing certainevidence;and
(iv) Dismissingthecharges.
(B) Inacivilcase,thecourtmayprovideanyreliefrequiredintheinterestsofjustice.
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(C) Whenorderingrelief,thecourtshallensurethat:
(i) Evidence submitted to the courtmust be sealed andpreservedforappeal;
(ii) Adocketentryspecifyingtheform,butnotthecontent,oftheevidencemustbemade;and
(iii) Allcounselandpartiesmaybepresentateverystageof the proceedings under this rule, except that, at ashowingincamera,onlycounselforthepublicentitymaybepresent.
RULE510.WAIVEROFPRIVILEGEBYVOLUNTARYDISCLOSURE
(a) Generalrule.Apersonwhohasaprivilegeundertheseruleswaivestheprivilegeifthepersonortheperson’spredecessorwhileholdingtheprivilegevoluntarilydisclosesorconsentstothedisclosureofanysignificantpartoftheprivilegedmatter.(b) Exception.Thisruledoesnotapplyifthedisclosureisitselfprivileged.RULE511.PRIVILEGEDMATTERDISCLOSEDUNDERCOMPULSIONOR
WITHOUTOPPORTUNITYTOCLAIMTHEPRIVILEGEAprivilegeisnotwaivedbyadisclosurethatwas:(a) Compellederroneously;or(b) Madewithoutopportunitytoclaimtheprivilege.
RULE512.COMMENTUPONORINFERENCEFROMCLAIMOFPRIVILEGEINCRIMINALCASES;INSTRUCTION
(a) Commentorinferencenotpermitted.Theclaimofaprivilegeisnota
propersubjectofcommentbyeitherajudgeorcounselinacriminalcase,regardless of whether the privilege was claimed in the presentproceeding or on a prior occasion. The fact findermay not draw anyinferencefromtheclaimofprivilege.
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(b) Claimingprivilegeoutsidethehearingof the jury. Incriminal jurytrials,proceedingsshallbeconducted,totheextentpracticable,soastoallowprivilegeclaimstobemadeoutsideofthehearingofthejury.
(c) Jury instruction. Unless waived, any criminal defendant who has
claimedaprivilegeisentitledtoaninstructionthatnoinferencemaybedrawnfromtheclaimofprivilege.
RULE513.CLAIMOFPRIVILEGEINCIVILCASES
(a) Commentpermitted. Inacivilaction,aparty’sclaimof theprivilege
againstself-incriminationisapropersubjectofcommentbyajudgeorbycounsel,regardlessofwhetherthepartyclaimedtheprivilegeinthepresentproceedingoronaprioroccasion.
(b) Inference permitted. In a civil action, the fact finder may draw an
appropriate inference fromaparty’s claimof theprivilege against selfincrimination.
(c) Claimofprivilegebyanonpartywitness.Rule512governsanonparty
witness’sclaimofprivilegeinacivilactionorproceeding.(d) Claim of privilege other than the privilege against
self-incrimination.Rule512governsanyparty’sorwitness’sclaimofanyprivilegeotherthantheprivilegeagainstself-incriminationinacivilactionorproceeding.
RULE514.MEDIATOR’SPRIVILEGE
(a) Definitions.Asusedinthisrule:
(1) A“mediatingparty”isapersonwhoisparticipatinginmediationasapartyorasaparty’srepresentative,regardlessofwhetherthesubjectmatterofthemediationisinlitigation.
(2) A “mediation” is any process in which a mediator facilitates
communicationandnegotiationbetweenpartiestoassisttheminreachingavoluntaryagreementregardingtheirdispute,regardlessofwhetherthedisputeisthesubjectoflitigation.
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(3) A “mediator” is a neutral person conducting the mediation
proceeding.
Thisrule issubjecttoanystateandfederalstatutesandregulationsofmediationstakingplacepursuanttosuchstatutoryauthority.
(b) Generalrule.(1) Amediatorhas aprivilege to refuse to testify in anyproceeding
concerning a mediation or any communication between themediatorandaparticipantinthemediationthatwasmadeduringthe course of, or that related to the subject matter of, anymediation.
(2) Allmemorandaandotherworkproduct—includingfiles,reports,
interviews, case summaries, and notes—preparedbyamediatorareconfidentialandarenotsubjecttodisclosureinanyjudicialoradministrative proceeding involving any of the parties to themediationinwhichthematerialsweregenerated.
(c) Exceptions.Themediator’sprivilegedoesnotapply:
(1) Mediated agreement. To a communication in an agreementevidencedbyarecordsignedbythepartiestotheagreement.
(2) Furtheranceofcrimeorfraud.Ifthemediatingpartywhomadethe
communication sought or obtained the mediator’s services toenableoraidanyonetoplan,commitorconcealwhatthemediatingparty knew or reasonably should have known to be a crime orfraud.
(3) Plantoinflictharm.Tothreatsorstatementsofintentiontoinflict
bodilyinjuryorcommitacrime.
(4) Mediator misconduct. To communications sought or offered toproveordisproveaclaimorcomplaintofprofessionalmisconductormalpracticebythemediator.
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(5) Partyorcounselmisconduct.Tocommunicationssoughtorofferedto prove or disprove a claim or complaint of professionalmisconduct or malpractice by a mediation party, nonpartyparticipant, or a party’s representative based on conduct thatoccurredduringamediation.
(6) Welfareofchildoradult.Inacriminalproceedingorachildoradult
protectiveaction,tocommunicationssoughtorofferedtoproveordisproveabuse,neglect,abandonment,orexploitation.
(7) Manifest injustice. If, after a hearing in camera, a court,
administrativeagency,orarbitratorfindsthatthedisclosureofacommunication is necessary in a particular case to prevent amanifestinjustice,andthattheneedfordisclosureoutweighstheimportance of protecting the general requirement of mediationconfidentiality.
ARTICLEVI.WITNESSES
RULE601.COMPETENCYTOTESTIFYINGENERAL
(a) Every person is competent to be awitness unless these rules provide
otherwise.(b) Apersonmaynotbeawitnessifthecourtfindsthat:
(1) Thepersoncannotcommunicateaboutthemattersothatthejudgeandjurycanunderstand,eitherdirectlyorthroughaninterpreter;
(2) The person cannotunderstand theduty, as awitness, to tell thetruth;
(3) Thepersonhadnoreasonableabilitytoperceivethematter;or
(4) Thepersonhasnoreasonableabilitytorememberthematter.
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RULE602.NEEDFORPERSONALKNOWLEDGEAwitnessmaynottestifytoamatterunlessevidenceisintroducedsufficienttosupport a finding that the witness has personal knowledge of the matter.Evidence to prove personal knowledge may, but need not, consist of thewitness’s own testimony. This rule is subject to theprovisionsofRule703,relatingtoopiniontestimonybyexpertwitnesses.
RULE603.OATHORAFFIRMATIONTOTESTIFYTRUTHFULLY
Beforetestifying,awitnessmustgiveanoathoraffirmationtotestifytruthfully.Theoathoraffirmationmustbeinaformdesignedtoimpressthatdutyonthewitness’sconscience.
RULE604.INTERPRETERSAninterpretermustbequalifiedandmustgiveanoathoraffirmationtomakeatruetranslation.
RULE605.JUDGE’SCOMPETENCYASAWITNESS
Thepresidingjudgemaynottestifyasawitnessatthetrial.Apartyneednotobjecttopreservetheissue.
RULE606.JUROR’SCOMPETENCYASAWITNESS
(a) Atthetrial.Ajurormaynottestifyasawitnessbeforeanyjurydrawn
fromthepanelofwhichthejurorwasamember.Ifa juroriscalledtotestify,thecourtmustgiveanypartyanopportunitytoobjectoutsidethejury’spresence.
(b) Duringaninquiryintothevalidityofaverdictorindictment.
(1) Prohibitedtestimonyorotherevidence.Duringaninquiryintothevalidityofaverdictorindictment,ajurormaynottestifyabout:
(A) Any statement made or incident that occurred during the
jury’sdeliberations;
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(B) Theeffectofanythingonthatjuror’soranotherjuror’svote;or
(C) Any juror’s mental processes concerning the verdict or
indictment.
Thecourtmaynotreceiveajuror’saffidavitorevidenceofajuror’sstatementonthesematters.
(2) Exceptions.Ajurormaytestifyaboutwhether:
(A) Extraneousprejudicialinformationwasimproperlybroughttothejury’sattention;or
(B) Anoutsideinfluencewasimproperlybroughttobearonany
juror.
RULE607.WHOMAYIMPEACHAWITNESSAnyparty,includingthepartythatcalledthewitness,mayattackthewitness’scredibility.
RULE608.AWITNESS’SCHARACTERFORTRUTHFULNESS
ORUNTRUTHFULNESS(a) Reputation evidence. A witness’s credibility may be attacked or
supported by testimony about the witness’s reputation for having acharacter for truthfulness or untruthfulness. Evidence of truthfulcharacterisadmissibleonlyafterthewitness’scharacterfortruthfulnesshasbeenattacked.
(b) Specificinstancesofconduct. Except foracriminalconvictionunder
Rule609,extrinsicevidenceisnotadmissibletoprovespecificinstancesof a witness’s conduct in order to attack or support the witness’scharacterfortruthfulness.Thecourtmay,oncross-examination,allowapartytoinquireintospecificinstancesofawitness’sconductiftheyareprobativeofthecharacterfortruthfulnessoruntruthfulnessof:
(1) Thewitness;or
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(2) Another witness about whose character the witness being
cross-examinedhastestified.Bytestifyingonanothermatter,awitnessdoesnotwaiveanyprivilegeagainstself-incriminationfortestimonythatrelatesonlytothewitness’scharacterfortruthfulness.RULE609.IMPEACHMENTBYEVIDENCEOFACRIMINALCONVICTION
(a) In general. Evidence of a criminal conviction offered to impeach a
witness’s character for truthfulness must be admitted if its probativevalueoutweighsitsprejudicialeffectonacriminaldefendantoronanypartyinacivilactionifthecriminalconvictionis:
(1) Foracrimethat,intheconvictingjurisdiction,waspunishablebydeathorbyimprisonmentformorethanoneyear;or
(2) For any crime if the court can reasonably determine thatestablishing the elements of the crime required proving—or thewitnessadmitting—adishonestactorfalsestatement.
(b) Timelimit.Evidenceofaconvictionisadmissibleunderthisruleonlyif:
(1) Lessthan15yearshaspassedsincetheconviction;or(2) Lessthan10yearshaspassedsincethewitnesswasreleasedfrom
confinementfortheconviction.(c) Effect of a pardon, annulment, or certificate of rehabilitation.
Evidenceofaconvictionisnotadmissibleiftheconvictionhasbeenthesubject of a pardon, annulment, certificate of rehabilitation, or otherequivalentprocedure.
(d) Juvenileadjudications.Evidenceofajuvenileadjudicationinapublic
proceeding is admissible under this rule. Evidence of a juvenileadjudicationinaproceedingthatwasclosedtothepublicisadmissibleonlyinjuvenileproceedingsthatarealsoclosedtothepublic.
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RULE610.RELIGIOUSBELIEFSOROPINIONSEvidenceofawitness’sreligiousbeliefsoropinionsisnotadmissibletoattackorsupportthewitness’scredibility.
RULE611.MODEANDORDEROFEXAMININGWITNESSESANDPRESENTINGEVIDENCE
(a) Controlbythecourt;purposes. The courtmustexercisereasonable
controloverthemodeandorderofexaminingwitnessesandpresentingevidencesoasto:
(1) Makethoseprocedureseffectivefordeterminingthetruth;
(2) Avoidwastingtime;and
(3) Protectwitnessesfromharassmentorundueembarrassment.
(b) Scopeofcross-examination. Cross-examinationmayaddressmatters
relevanttoanyissueinthecase,includingthecredibilityofanywitness.The court may limit cross-examination about matters that were notaddressedondirectexamination.
(c) Leading questions. Leading questions should not be used on direct
examination except as necessary to develop the witness’s testimony.Ordinarily,thecourtshouldallowleadingquestions:(1) Oncross-examination;and(2) Whenapartycallsahostilewitness,anadverseparty,orawitness
identifiedwith an adverseparty. Ahostilewitnessor awitnessidentified with an adverse party may be cross-examined by theadverseparty,butonlyastomattersthatthewitnesstestifiedtoduringhisorherexaminationinchief.
(d) Cross-examinationrelatingtosignatures.Ifawitness’sexamination
in chief addresses only the signature to or execution of a paper,cross-examinationmustbelimitedtothatsignatureorexecution.
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RULE612.WRITINGUSEDTOREFRESHAWITNESS’SMEMORY(a) Whiletestifying. Ifawitnessusesawritingorobjecttorefreshhisor
hermemorywhiletestifying,theadversepartyisentitledtoproductionofthewritingorobjectatthetime.
(b) Beforetestifying.Ifawitnessusesawritingorobjecttorefreshhisor
hermemorybefore testifying, thecourtmayrequireproductionof thewritingorobjectintheinterestsofjustice.
(c) Termsandconditions.
(1) Ifapartyisentitledtoproductionofawritingorobjectunderthisrule,thatpartymayinspectit,cross-examinethewitnessaboutit,andintroducerelevantpartsofitinevidence.
(2) Ifapartyclaimsthatthewritingcontainsmaterialthatisirrelevant
tothewitness’stestimony,thecourtmustexaminethewritingincamera,removeanyirrelevantportions,andorderproductionoftherestofthewriting.
Thecourtmustpreserveanyportionofthewritingthatiswithheldunderthissubsection,andmustprovideittotheappellatecourtifthereisanappeal.
(d) Failuretoproduceordeliverthewriting.Ifawritingisnotproduced
orisnotdeliveredasordered,thecourtmayissueanyappropriateorder.Butifthestatedoesnotcomplyinacriminalcase,thecourtmuststrikethe witness’s testimony or may—if justice so requires—declare amistrial.
RULE613.WITNESS’SPRIORSTATEMENT
Whenexaminingawitnessaboutthewitness’spriorstatement,apartyneednot show it or disclose its contents to thewitness. But the party must, onrequest,showitordiscloseitscontentstoanadverseparty’sattorney.
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RULE614.COURT’SCALLINGOREXAMININGAWITNESS(a) Calling.Thecourtmaycallawitnessonitsown,orataparty’srequest.
Eachpartyisentitledtocross-examinethewitness.(b) Examining.Thecourtmayexamineawitnessregardlessofwhocallsthe
witness.(c) Objections. A party may object to the court’s calling or examining a
witnesseitheratthattimeoratthenextopportunityoutofthehearingofthejury.
RULE615.EXCLUDINGWITNESSES
At a party’s request or on the court’s own initiative, the court may orderwitnessesexcludedsothattheycannothearotherwitnesses’testimony.Butthisruledoesnotauthorizeexcluding:(a) Apartywhoisanaturalperson;(b) Anofficeroremployeeofapartythatisnotanaturalperson,afterbeing
designatedastheparty’srepresentativebyitsattorney;or(c) Apersonwhosepresenceapartyshowstobeessentialtopresenting
theparty’sclaimordefense.
RULE616.ILLUSTRATIVEAIDS(a) Otherwise inadmissibleobjectsordepictionsmaybeused to illustrate
witnesstestimonyorcounsel’sarguments.(b) Thecourtmaylimitorprohibittheuseofillustrativeaidsasnecessaryto
avoidunfairprejudice,surprise,confusion,orwasteoftime.(c) Opposingcounselmustbegivenreasonableopportunitytoobjecttothe
useofanyillustrativeaidpreparedbeforetrial.(d) Thejurymayuseillustrativeaidsduringdeliberationsonlyifallparties
consent,orifthecourtsoordersafterapartyhasshowngoodcause.
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Illustrativeaidsremainthepropertyofthepartythatpreparedthem.Theymaybeusedbyanypartyduringthetrial.Theymustbepreservedfortherecordforappealorfurtherproceedingsupontherequestofanyparty.
ARTICLEVII.OPINIONSANDEXPERTTESTIMONY
RULE701.OPINIONTESTIMONYBYLAYWITNESSESIf a witness is not testifying as an expert, opinion testimony is limited toopinionsthatare:(a) Rationallybasedonthewitness’sperception;and(b) Helpful to clearly understanding the witness’s testimony or to
determiningafactinissue.
RULE702.TESTIMONYBYEXPERTWITNESSESAwitnesswhoisqualifiedasanexpertbyknowledge,skill,experience,training,or education may testify in the form of an opinion or otherwise if suchtestimonywillhelpthetrieroffacttounderstandtheevidenceortodetermineafactinissue.
RULE703.BASISOFANEXPERT’SOPINIONTESTIMONY
Anexpertmaybaseanopiniononfactsordatainthecasethattheexperthasbeenmadeawareoforhaspersonallyobserved. Ifexperts in theparticularfieldwouldreasonablyrelyonthosekindsoffactsordatainforminganopiniononthesubject, thefactsordataneednotbeadmissiblefortheopiniontobeadmitted.
RULE704.OPINIONONANULTIMATEISSUEAnopinionisnotobjectionablemerelybecauseitisanopiniononanultimateissue.
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RULE705.DISCLOSINGTHEFACTSORDATAUNDERLYINGANEXPERT’SOPINION
(a) Disclosureofunderlyingfacts.Unlessthecourtordersotherwise,an
expertmaystateanopinion—andgivethereasonsforit—withoutfirsttestifyingtotheunderlyingfactsordata.Buttheexpertmayberequiredtodisclosethosefactsordataoncross-examination.
(b) Objection. Apartymayobjecttoanexpertwitness’stestimonyonthe
groundthattheexpertlacksasufficientbasisforexpressinganopinion.Beforetheexpertgivesanopinion,counselmaybeallowedtoexaminetheexpertaboutthefactsordataunderlyingtheopinionoutsideofthejury’spresence.Ifthereisevidencesufficienttosupportafindingthatthe expert lacks a sufficient basis for the opinion, the opinion isinadmissible, unless the party who called the expert witness firstestablishestheunderlyingfactsordata.
RULE706.COURT-APPOINTEDEXPERTWITNESSES
(a) Appointmentprocess.Onaparty’smotionoronitsown,thecourtmay
order the parties to show cause why expert witnesses should not beappointedandmayaskthepartiestosubmitnominations.Thecourtmayappointanyexpertthatthepartiesagreeonandanyofitsownchoosing.Butthecourtmayonlyappointsomeonewhoconsentstoact.
(b) Expert’srole. Thecourtmustinformtheexpertoftheexpert’sduties.
Thecourtmaydosoinwritingandhaveacopyfiledwiththeclerkormaydosoorallyataconferenceinwhichthepartieshaveanopportunitytoparticipate.Theexpert:(1) Mustadvisethepartiesofanyfindingstheexpertmakes;
(2) Maybedeposedbyanyparty;
(3) Maybecalledtotestifybythecourtoranyparty;and
(4) Maybecross-examinedbyanyparty,includingthepartythatcalled
theexpert.
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(c) Compensation. Theexpert isentitled toreasonablecompensation,assetbythecourt.Unlessprovidedotherwisebylaw,thepartiesmustpaytheexpert’scompensationinwhateverproportionthecourtdirects,atatimechosenbythecourt.Thereafter,theexpert’scompensationmaybechargedinthesamemannerasothercosts.
(d) Disclosing the appointment to the jury. The court may authorize
disclosuretothejurythatthecourtappointedtheexpert.
(e) Parties’choiceoftheirownexperts.Thisruledoesnotlimitapartyincallingitsownexperts.
ARTICLEVIII.HEARSAY
RULE801.DEFINITIONSTHATAPPLYTOTHISARTICLE;
EXCLUSIONSFROMHEARSAY(a) Statement. ‘‘Statement’’ means a person’s oral assertion, written
assertion,ornonverbalconduct,ifthepersonintendeditasanassertion.(b) Declarant.‘‘Declarant’’meansthepersonwhomadethestatement.(c) Hearsay.‘‘Hearsay’’meansastatementthat: (1) Thedeclarantdoesnotmakewhiletestifyingatthecurrenttrialor
hearing;and (2) Apartyoffersinevidencetoprovethetruthofthematterasserted
inthestatement.(d) Statements thatarenothearsay. Astatement thatmeetsoneof the
followingconditionsisnothearsay:
(1) Adeclarant-witness’spriorstatement.Thedeclaranttestifiesandissubject to cross-examination about a prior statement, and thestatement:
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(A) Isinconsistentwiththedeclarant’stestimonyandwasgivenunder penalty of perjury at a trial, hearing, or otherproceedingorinadeposition;or
(B) Isconsistentwiththedeclarant’stestimonyandisoffered:
(i) to rebut an express or implied charge that thedeclarantrecentlyfabricateditoractedfromarecentimproperinfluenceormotiveinsotestifying;or
(ii) torehabilitatethedeclarant’scredibilityasawitness
whenattackedonanotherground;or
(C) Identifies a person as someone the declarant perceivedearlier.
(2) Anopposingparty’sstatement.Thestatementisofferedagainstan
opposingpartyand:
(A) Wasmade by the party in an individual or representativecapacity;
(B) Isonethepartymanifestedthatitadoptedorbelievedtobe
true;
(C) Wasmadebyapersonwhomthepartyauthorizedtomakeastatementonthesubject,butwasnotmadetotheprincipaloremployer;
(D) Was made by the party’s agent or employee on a matter
withinthescopeofthatrelationshipandwhileitexisted,butwasnotmadetotheprincipaloremployer;or
(E) Was made by the party’s coconspirator during and in
furtheranceoftheconspiracy.
Thestatementmustbeconsideredbutdoesnotbyitselfestablishthedeclarant’sauthorityunder(C), theexistenceorscopeofthe
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relationship under (D), or the existence of the conspiracy orparticipationinitunder(E).
RULE802.THERULEAGAINSTHEARSAY
Hearsayisnotadmissibleunlessanyofthefollowingprovidesotherwise:
• Astatute;• Theserules;or• OtherrulesprescribedbytheMaineSupremeJudicialCourt.
RULE803.EXCEPTIONSTOTHERULEAGAINSTHEARSAY—REGARDLESS
OFWHETHERTHEDECLARANTISAVAILABLEASAWITNESSThe following are not excluded by the rule against hearsay, regardless ofwhetherthedeclarantisavailableasawitness:(1) Present sense impression. A statement describing or explaining an
event or condition, made while or immediately after the declarantperceivedit.
(2) Excitedutterance.Astatementrelatingtoastartlingeventorcondition,
made while the declarant was under the stress of excitement that itcaused.
(3) Then-existingmental,emotional,orphysicalcondition.Astatement
ofthedeclarant’sthen-existingstateofmind(suchasmotive,intent,orplan)oremotional,sensory,orphysicalcondition(suchasmentalfeeling,pain,orbodilyhealth),butnotincludingastatementofmemoryorbelieftoprovethefactrememberedorbelievedunlessitrelatestothevalidityortermsofthedeclarant’swill.
(4) Statementmade formedical diagnosis or treatment. A statementthat:
(A) Ismadefor—andisreasonablypertinentto—medicaldiagnosisor
treatment;and
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(B) Describes medical history; past or present symptoms orsensations;theirinception;ortheirgeneralcause.
(5) Recordedrecollection.Arecordthat:
(A) Isonamatterthewitnessonceknewaboutbutnowcannotrecallwellenoughtotestifyfullyandaccurately;
(B) Wasmadeoradoptedbythewitnesswhenthematterwasfreshin
thewitness’smemory;and(C) Accuratelyreflectsthewitness’sknowledge.
Ifadmitted,therecordmaybereadintoevidencebutmaybereceivedasanexhibitonlyifofferedbyanadverseparty.
(6) Recordsofaregularlyconductedactivity. Arecordofanact,event,
condition,opinion,ordiagnosisif:
(A) Therecordwasmadeatornearthetimeby—orfrominformationtransmittedby—someonewithknowledge;
(B) Therecordwaskeptinthecourseofaregularlyconductedactivity
ofabusiness,organization,occupation,orcalling,whetherornotforprofit;
(C) Makingtherecordwasaregularpracticeofthatactivity;
(D) Alltheseconditionsareshownbythetestimonyofthecustodianor
anotherqualifiedwitness,orbyacertificationthatcomplieswithRule 902(11), Rule 902(12) or with a statute permittingcertification;and
(E) Theopponentdoesnotshowthatthesourceofinformationorthe
method or circumstances of preparation indicate a lack oftrustworthiness.
(7) Absenceofarecordofaregularlyconductedactivity.Evidencethat
amatterisnotincludedinarecorddescribedinparagraph(6)if:
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(A) Theevidenceisadmittedtoprovethatthematterdidnotoccuror
exist;(B) Arecordwasregularlykeptforamatterofthatkind;and
(C) Neither the possible source of the information nor other
circumstancesindicatealackoftrustworthiness.(8) Publicrecords.Arecordorstatementofapublicofficeif:
(A) Itsetsout:
(i) The office’s regularly conducted and regularly recordedactivities;
(ii) Amatterobservedwhileunderalegaldutytoreport;or
(iii) Factualfindingsfromalegallyauthorizedinvestigation.
(B) Thefollowingarenotwithinthisexceptiontothehearsayrule:
(i) Investigative reports by police and other law enforcementpersonnel;
(ii) Investigative reports prepared by or for a government, a
public office or an agency when offered by it in a case inwhichitisaparty;
(iii) Factualfindingsofferedbythestateinacriminalcase;
(iv) Factual findings resulting from special investigation of a
particularcomplaint,case,orincident;and
(v) Anymatterastowhichthesourcesofinformationorothercircumstancesindicatelackoftrustworthiness.
(9) Publicrecordsofvitalstatistics.Arecordofabirth,death,ormarriage,
ifreportedtoapublicofficeinaccordancewithalegalduty.
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(10)Absenceofapublicrecord.Testimony—oracertificationunderRule
902—thatadiligentsearchfailedtodiscloseapublicrecordorstatementifthetestimonyorcertificationisadmittedtoprovethat:
(A) Therecordorstatementdoesnotexist;or
(B) Amatterdidnotoccurorexist, ifapublicofficeregularlykepta
recordorstatementforamatterofthatkind.(11)Records of religious organizations concerning personal or family
history. A statement of birth, legitimacy, ancestry,marriage, divorce,death,relationshipbybloodormarriage,orsimilarfactsofpersonalorfamily history, contained in a regularly kept record of a religiousorganization.
(12)Certificates of marriage, baptism, and similar ceremonies. A
statementoffactcontainedinacertificate:(A) Madebyapersonwhoisauthorizedbyareligiousorganizationor
bylawtoperformtheactcertified;(B) Attesting that the person performed a marriage or similar
ceremonyoradministeredasacrament;and(C) Purportingtohavebeen issuedatthetimeoftheactorwithina
reasonabletimeafterit.(13)Family records. Astatementof fact aboutpersonalor familyhistory
containedinafamilyrecord,suchasaBible,genealogy,chart,engravingon a ring, inscription on a portrait, or engraving on an urn or burialmarker.
(14)Recordsofdocumentsthataffectaninterestinproperty.Therecord
ofadocumentthatpurportstoestablishoraffectaninterestinpropertyif:
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(A) Therecordisadmittedtoprovethecontentoftheoriginalrecordeddocument,alongwith itssigningand itsdeliverybyeachpersonwhopurportstohavesignedit;
(B) Therecordiskeptinapublicoffice;and(C) Astatuteauthorizesrecordingdocumentsofthatkindinthatoffice.
(15)RESERVED.(16) Statementsinancientdocuments. Astatementinadocumentthatis
atleast20yearsoldandwhoseauthenticityisestablished.(17)Market reports and similar commercial publications. Market
quotations, lists, directories, or other compilations that are generallyreliedonbythepublicorbypersonsinparticularoccupations.
(18) Statements in learned treatises, periodicals, or pamphlets. Astatementcontainedinatreatise,periodical,orpamphletif:(A) The statement is called to the attention of an expertwitness on
cross-examination;and(B) Thepublicationisestablishedasareliableauthoritybytheexpert’s
admission or testimony, by another expert’s testimony, or byjudicialnotice.
Ifadmitted,thestatementmaybereadintoevidencebutnotreceivedasanexhibit.
(19)Reputation concerning personal or family history. A reputation
amongaperson’sfamilybyblood,adoption,ormarriage—oramongtheperson’sassociatesorinthecommunity—concerningtheperson’sbirth,adoption,legitimacy,ancestry,marriage,divorce,death,relationshipbyblood,adoption,ormarriage,orsimilarfactsoftheperson’spersonalorfamilyhistory.
(20)Reputationconcerningboundariesorgeneralhistory.Areputation
in a community—arising before the controversy—concerning
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boundariesoflandinthecommunityorcustomsthataffecttheland,orconcerninggeneralhistoricaleventsimportanttothatcommunity,state,ornation.
(21)Reputation concerning character. A reputation among a person’s
associatesorinthecommunityconcerningtheperson’scharacter.(22) Judgment of a previous conviction. Evidence of a final judgment of
convictionif:(A) Thejudgmentwasenteredafteratrialorguiltyplea;(B) The conviction was for a crime punishable by death or by
imprisonmentformorethanayear;(C) The evidence is admitted to prove any fact essential to the
judgment;and(D) Whenofferedby theprosecutor in acriminalcase forapurpose
otherthanimpeachment,thejudgmentwasagainstthedefendant.(23) Judgments involving personal, family, or general history, or a
boundary. A judgmentthat isadmittedtoproveamatterofpersonal,family,orgeneralhistory,orboundaries,ifthematter:(A) Wasessentialtothejudgment;and(B) Couldbeprovedbyevidenceofreputation.
RULE804.EXCEPTIONSTOTHERULEAGAINSTHEARSAY—WHENTHE
DECLARANTISUNAVAILABLEASAWITNESS(a) Criteria for being unavailable. A declarant is considered to be
unavailableasawitnessifthedeclarant:
(1) Is exempted from testifying about the subject matter of thedeclarant’s statement because the court rules that a privilegeapplies;
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(2) Refusestotestifyaboutthesubjectmatterdespiteacourtordertodoso;
(3) Testifiestonotrememberingthesubjectmatter;
(4) Cannotbepresentortestifyatthetrialorhearingbecauseofdeath
orathen-existinginfirmity,physicalillness,ormentalillness;or
(5) Isabsentfromthetrialorhearingandthestatement’sproponenthas not been able, by process or other reasonable means, toprocurethedeclarant’sattendance.
But this subdivision (a) does not apply if the statement’s proponentprocuredorwrongfullycausedthedeclarant’sunavailabilityasawitnessinordertopreventthedeclarantfromattendingortestifying.
(b) The exceptions. The following are not excluded by the rule against
hearsayifthedeclarantisunavailableasawitness:
(1) FormerTestimony.Testimonythat:(A) Was given as a witness at a trial, hearing, or lawful
deposition,whethergivenduringthecurrentproceedingoradifferentone;and
(B) Isnowofferedagainstapartywhohad—or, inacivilcase,
whose predecessor in interest had—an opportunity andsimilar motive to develop it by direct, cross-, or redirectexamination.
(2) Statementunderthebeliefofimminentdeath.Astatementthatthe
declarant, while believing the declarant’s death to be imminent,madeaboutitscauseorcircumstances.
(3) Statementagainstinterest.Astatement—except,inacriminalcase,
forastatementorconfessionmadebyadefendantorotherpersonimplicating both the declarant and the accused that is offeredagainsttheaccused—that:
53
(A) Areasonablepersoninthedeclarant’spositionwouldhavemadeonlyifthepersonbelievedittobetruebecause,whenmade, it was so contrary to the declarant’s pecuniary orproprietaryinterest,orsofartendedtosubjectthedeclaranttocivilorcriminalliabilityortorenderinvalidaclaimbythedeclarantagainstanother,ortomakethedeclarantanobjectofhatred,ridicule,ordisgrace;and
(B) Is supported by corroborating circumstances that clearly
indicateitstrustworthiness,ifitisofferedinacriminalcaseasonethattendstoexposethedeclaranttocriminalliability.
(4) Statementofpersonalorfamilyhistory.Astatementabout:
(A) The declarant’s own birth, adoption, legitimacy, ancestry,marriage, divorce, relationship by blood, adoption, ormarriage,orsimilarfactsofpersonalorfamilyhistory,eventhough the declarant had no way of acquiring personalknowledgeaboutthatfact;or
(B) Another person concerning any of these facts, as well as
death, if thedeclarantwas related to thepersonbyblood,adoption,ormarriageorwassointimatelyassociatedwiththeperson’sfamilythatthedeclarant’sinformationislikelytobeaccurate.
RULE805.HEARSAYWITHINHEARSAY
Hearsaywithinhearsayisnotexcludedbytheruleagainsthearsayifeachpartofthecombinedstatementsconformswithanexceptiontotherule.
RULE806.ATTACKINGANDSUPPORTING
THEDECLARANT’SCREDIBILITYWhen a hearsay statement—or a statement described inRule 801(d)(2)(C),(D),or(E)—hasbeenadmittedinevidence,thedeclarant’scredibilitymaybeattacked, and then supported,by anyevidence thatwouldbe admissible forthosepurposesifthedeclaranthadtestifiedasawitness.Thecourtmayadmitevidence of the declarant’s inconsistent statement or conduct, regardless of
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when itoccurredorwhether thedeclaranthadanopportunity to explainordeny it. If the party against whom the statement was admitted calls thedeclarantasawitness,thepartymayexaminethedeclarantonthestatementasifoncross-examination.
ARTICLEIX.AUTHENTICATIONANDIDENTIFICATION
RULE901.AUTHENTICATINGORIDENTIFYINGEVIDENCE
(a) Ingeneral. Tosatisfytherequirementofauthenticatingoridentifying
anitemofevidence,theproponentmustproduceevidencesufficienttosupportafindingthattheitemiswhattheproponentclaimsitis.
(b) Examples. The following are examples only—not a complete list—of
evidencethatsatisfiestherequirement:
(1) Testimonyofawitnesswithknowledge.Testimonythatanitemiswhatitisclaimedtobe.
(2) Nonexpertopinionabouthandwriting.Anonexpert’sopinionthat
handwritingisgenuine,basedonafamiliaritywithitthatwasnotacquiredforthecurrentlitigation.
(3) Comparisonbyanexpertwitnessorthetrieroffact.Acomparison
withanauthenticatedspecimenbyanexpertwitnessorthetrieroffact.
(4) Distinctive characteristics. The appearance, contents, substance,
internalpatterns, orotherdistinctive characteristicsof the item,takentogetherwithallthecircumstances.
(5) Opinionaboutavoice. Anopinion identifyingaperson’svoice—
whether heard firsthand or through mechanical or electronictransmissionorrecording—basedonhearingthevoiceatanytimeundercircumstancesthatconnectitwiththeallegedspeaker.
(6) Evidence about a telephone conversation. For a telephone
conversation, evidence that a call was made to the numberassignedatthetimeto:
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(A) A particular person, if circumstances, including self-
identification,showthatthepersonansweringwastheonecalled;or
(B) Aparticularbusiness,ifthecallwasmadetoabusinessand
the call related tobusiness reasonably transactedover thetelephone.
(7) Evidenceaboutpublicrecords.Evidencethat:
(A) A document was recorded or filed in a public office as
authorizedbylaw;or
(B) A purported public record or statement is from the officewhereitemsofthiskindarekept.
(8) Evidence about ancient documents or data compilations. For a
documentordatacompilation,evidencethatit:
(A) Is in a condition that creates no suspicion about itsauthenticity;
(B) Wasinaplacewhere,ifauthentic,itwouldlikelybe;and
(C) Isatleast20yearsoldwhenoffered.
(9) Evidenceaboutaprocessorsystem.Evidencedescribingaprocess
orsystemandshowingthatitproducesanaccurateresult.(10)Methods provided by a statute or rule. Any method of
authentication or identification allowed by a rule of the MaineSupremeJudicialCourtorbyastatuteorasprovidedintheMaineConstitution.
RULE902.EVIDENCETHATISSELF-AUTHENTICATING
The following items of evidence are self-authenticating; they require noextrinsicevidenceofauthenticityinordertobeadmitted:
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(1) Domesticpublicdocumentsthataresealedandsigned.Adocument
thatbears:(A) AsealpurportingtobethatoftheUnitedStates;anystate,district,
commonwealth, territory, or insular possession of the UnitedStates;theformerPanamaCanalZone;theTrustTerritoryofthePacificIslands;apoliticalsubdivisionofanyoftheseentities;oradepartment,agency,orofficerofanyentitynamedabove;and
(B) Asignaturepurportingtobeanexecutionorattestation.
(2) Domesticpublicdocumentsthatarenotsealedbutaresignedand certified.Adocumentthatbearsnosealif:(A) Itbearsthesignatureofanofficeroremployeeofanentitynamed
inRule902(1)(A);and(B) Anotherpublicofficerwhohasasealandofficialdutieswithinthat
sameentitycertifiesunderseal—oritsequivalent—thatthesignerhastheofficialcapacityandthatthesignatureisgenuine.
(3) Foreignpublicdocuments.Adocumentthatpurportstobesignedor
attestedbyapersonwhoisauthorizedbyaforeigncountry’slawtodoso. The document must be accompanied by a final certification thatcertifies the genuineness of the signature and official position of thesigner or attester—or of any foreign official whose certificate ofgenuineness relates to the signature or attestation or is in a chain ofcertificatesofgenuinenessrelating to thesignatureorattestation.ThecertificationmaybemadebyasecretaryofaUnitedStatesembassyorlegation;byaconsulgeneral,viceconsul,orconsularagentoftheUnitedStates; or by a diplomatic or consular official of the foreign countryassignedoraccreditedtotheUnitedStates.Ifallpartieshavebeengivenareasonableopportunitytoinvestigatethedocument’sauthenticityandaccuracy,thecourtmay,forgoodcause,either:
(A) Order that itbe treatedaspresumptivelyauthenticwithout final
certification;or
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(B) Allowittobeevidencedbyanattestedsummarywithorwithoutfinalcertification.
(4) Certifiedcopiesofpublicrecords. Acopyofanofficialrecord—ora
copy of a document that was recorded or filed in a public office asauthorizedbylaw—ifthecopyiscertifiedascorrectby:
(A) The custodian or another person authorized to make the
certification;or(B) AcertificatethatcomplieswithRule902(1),(2),or(3)orafederal
orstatestatute.(5) Officialpublications.Abook,pamphlet,orotherpublicationpurporting
tobeissuedbyapublicauthority.(6) Newspapers and periodicals. Printed material purporting to be a
newspaperorperiodical.(7) Trade inscriptions and the like. An inscription, sign, tag, or label
purportingtohavebeenaffixedinthecourseofbusinessandindicatingorigin,ownership,orcontrol.
(8) Acknowledgeddocuments. Adocumentaccompaniedbyacertificate
of acknowledgment that is lawfully executed by a notary public oranotherofficerwhoisauthorizedtotakeacknowledgments.
(9) Commercial paper and related documents. Commercial paper, a
signatureonit,andrelateddocuments,totheextentallowedbygeneralcommerciallaw.
(10)Presumptionscreatedbylaw.Asignature,document,oranythingelse
thatafederalstatutedeclarestobepresumptivelyorprimafaciegenuineorauthentic.
(11)Certified domestic records of a regularly conducted activity. The
originaloracopyofadomesticrecord thatmeetstherequirementsofRule 803(6)(A)–(C), as shown by a certification of the custodian oranotherqualifiedpersonthatcomplieswithastatuteoraruleprescribed
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by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. Before the trial or hearing, theproponentmustgiveanadversepartyreasonablewrittennoticeoftheintenttooffertherecord—andmustmaketherecordandcertificationavailableforinspection—sothatthepartyhasafairopportunitytoobjecttotheauthenticityoftherecordoronthebasisofhearsay.Intheeventofanadverseparty’sobjectiontoarecordofferedunderthisparagraph,thecourtmayintheinterestsofjusticerefusetoacceptthecertificationunderthisparagraphandrequirethepartyofferingtherecordtoprovideappropriatefoundationbyotherevidence.
(12)Certifiedforeignrecordsofaregularlyconductedactivity.Inacivil
case, the original or a copy of a foreign record that meets therequirements of Rule 902(11), modified as follows: the certification,rather than complyingwith a statuteorMaineSupreme JudicialCourtrule,mustbesignedinamannerthat,iffalselymade,wouldsubjectthemaker to a criminal penalty in the country where the certification issigned.TheproponentmustalsomeetthenoticerequirementsofRule902(11).
RULE903.SUBSCRIBINGWITNESS’STESTIMONY
Asubscribingwitness’stestimonyisnecessarytoauthenticateawritingonlyifrequiredbystatute.ARTICLEX.CONTENTSOFWRITINGS,RECORDINGS,ANDPHOTOGRAPHS
RULE1001.DEFINITIONSTHATAPPLYTOTHISARTICLE
Inthisarticle:(a) A ‘‘writing’’ consistsof letters,words,numbers,or theirequivalentset
downinanyform.(b) A ‘‘recording’’ consists of letters, words, sounds, numbers, or their
equivalentrecordedinanymanner.(c) A‘‘photograph’’meansaphotographicimageoritsequivalentstoredin
anyform.
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(d) An ‘‘original’’ofawritingorrecordingmeans thewritingorrecordingitselforanycounterpartintendedtohavethesameeffectbythepersonwho executed or issued it. For electronically stored information,‘‘original’’meansanyprintout—orotheroutputreadablebysight—ifitaccurately reflects the information. An ‘‘original’’ of a photographincludesthenegativeoraprintfromit.
RULE1002.REQUIREMENTOFTHEORIGINAL
Anoriginalwriting,recording,orphotographisrequiredinordertoproveitscontentunlesstheserulesorastatuteprovidesotherwise.
RULE1003.RESERVED.
RULE1004.ADMISSIBILITYOFOTHEREVIDENCEOFCONTENTAn original is not required and other evidence of the content of a writing,recording,orphotographisadmissibleif:(a) Alltheoriginalsarelostordestroyed,andnotbytheproponentactingin
badfaith;(b) Anoriginalcannotbeobtainedbyanyavailablejudicialprocess;(c) Thepartyagainstwhomtheoriginalwouldbeofferedhadcontrolofthe
original;wasatthattimeputonnotice,bypleadingsorotherwise,thattheoriginalwouldbeasubjectofproofatthetrialorhearing;andfailstoproduceitatthetrialorhearing;or
(d) The writing, recording, or photograph is not closely related to a
controllingissue.
RULE1005.COPIESOFPUBLICRECORDSTOPROVECONTENTTheproponentmayuseacopytoprovethecontentofanofficialrecord—orofadocumentthatwasrecordedorfiledinapublicofficeasauthorizedbylaw—iftheseconditionsaremet:therecordordocumentisotherwiseadmissible;andthecopyiscertifiedascorrectinaccordancewithRule902(4)oristestifiedtobecorrectbyawitnesswhohascompareditwiththeoriginal. Ifnosuch
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copy can be obtained by reasonable diligence, then the proponentmay useotherevidencetoprovethecontent.
RULE1006.SUMMARIESTOPROVECONTENTTheproponentmayuseasummary,chart,orcalculationtoprovethecontentof voluminous writings, recordings, or photographs that cannot beconveniently examined in court. The proponent must make the originalsavailableforexaminationorcopying,orboth,byotherpartiesatareasonabletimeandplace. And thecourtmayorder theproponent toproduce them incourt.
RULE1007.TESTIMONYORSTATEMENTOFAPARTYTOPROVECONTENT
Theproponentmayprovethecontentofawriting,recording,orphotographbythetestimony,deposition,orwrittenstatementofthepartyagainstwhomtheevidenceisoffered.Theproponentneednotaccountfortheoriginal.
RULE1008.FUNCTIONSOFTHECOURTANDJURYThe court determines whether the proponent has fulfilled the factualconditionsforadmittingotherevidenceofthecontentofawriting,recording,orphotographunderRule1004or1005.
ARTICLEXI.MISCELLANEOUSRULES
AbrogatedJanuary1,2015.
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