What are the rules of evidence in civil procedure?

In Massachusetts, evidence is any information or material presented in court (or in pretrial proceedings) to prove or disprove the facts at issue in a dispute. Evidence includes testimony from witnesses, documents, photographs, and objects or real evidence. In civil procedure, the rules of evidence are the rules controlling the admissibility of evidence in a civil action or proceeding. These rules establish which evidence is relevant, authentic, and reliable. In Massachusetts, the majority of rules of evidence are established by the Massachusetts Rules of Evidence (MRE). The MRE govern the introduction of evidence in civil trials and include such topics as hearsay, impeachment, privileges, and expert testimony. In general, the MRE are designed to ensure that only reliable and relevant evidence is admitted at trial. In addition to the MRE, there are the Federal Rules of Evidence, which apply in federal court proceedings. In most states, the rules of evidence establish a general rule that hearsay evidence is inadmissible. Hearsay is a statement made out of court by someone other than the witness testifying and is not considered to be reliable due to the lack of opportunity for the opposing party to cross-examine the out-of-court declarant. Finally, Massachusetts has a number of statutes which establish additional rules of evidence. These include laws pertaining to the admissibility of certain types of evidence, such as spousal communications or evidence presented by organized crime witnesses. Overall, the rules of evidence in civil procedure in Massachusetts are designed to ensure that a fair trial is had by ensuring that only reliable and relevant evidence is admitted. By adhering to these rules, the courts can ensure that justice is served.

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What are the rules of evidence in civil procedure?

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