2012 US Code
Title 28 - Judiciary and Judicial Procedure
Appendix (rules 1 - 1103)
FEDERAL RULES OF EVIDENCE (rules 101 - 1103)
ARTICLE VI. WITNESSES (rules 601 - 615)
Rule 610 - Religious Beliefs or Opinions
| Publication Title | United States Code, 2012 Edition, Title 28 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE |
| Category | Bills and Statutes |
| Collection | United States Code |
| SuDoc Class Number | Y 1.2/5: |
| Contained Within | Title 28 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE TITLE 28 - APPENDIX FEDERAL RULES OF EVIDENCE ARTICLE VI. WITNESSES Rule 610 - Religious Beliefs or Opinions |
| Contains | rule 610 |
| Date | 2012 |
| Laws in Effect as of Date | January 15, 2013 |
| Positive Law | Yes |
| Disposition | standard |
| Source Credit | Pub. L. 93-595, §1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1936; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Oct. 1, 1987; Apr. 26, 2011, eff. Dec. 1, 2011. |
| Statutes at Large Reference | 88 Stat. 1936 |
| Public Law Reference | Public Law 93-595 |
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Evidence of a witness's religious beliefs or opinions is not admissible to attack or support the witness's credibility.
(Pub. L. 93–595, §1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1936; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Oct. 1, 1987; Apr. 26, 2011, eff. Dec. 1, 2011.)
Notes of Advisory Committee on Proposed RulesWhile the rule forecloses inquiry into the religious beliefs or opinions of a witness for the purpose of showing that his character for truthfulness is affected by their nature, an inquiry for the purpose of showing interest or bias because of them is not within the prohibition. Thus disclosure of affiliation with a church which is a party to the litigation would be allowable under the rule. Cf. Tucker v. Reil, 51 Ariz. 357, 77 P.2d 203 (1938). To the same effect, though less specifically worded, is California Evidence Code §789. See 3 Wigmore §936.
Notes of Advisory Committee on Rules—1987 AmendmentThe amendment is technical. No substantive change is intended.
Committee Notes on Rules—2011 AmendmentThe language of Rule 610 has been amended as part of the restyling of the Evidence Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only. There is no intent to change any result in any ruling on evidence admissibility.
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