2012 US Code
Title 28 - Judiciary and Judicial Procedure
Appendix (rules 1 - 1103)
FEDERAL RULES OF EVIDENCE (rules 101 - 1103)
ARTICLE IX. AUTHENTICATION AND IDENTIFICATION (rules 901 - 903)
Rule 903 - Subscribing Witness's Testimony

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Metadata
Publication TitleUnited States Code, 2012 Edition, Title 28 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
CategoryBills and Statutes
CollectionUnited States Code
SuDoc Class NumberY 1.2/5:
Contained WithinTitle 28 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
TITLE 28 - APPENDIX
FEDERAL RULES OF EVIDENCE
ARTICLE IX. AUTHENTICATION AND IDENTIFICATION
Rule 903 - Subscribing Witness's Testimony
Containsrule 903
Date2012
Laws in Effect as of DateJanuary 15, 2013
Positive LawYes
Dispositionstandard
Source CreditPub. L. 93-595, §1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1945; Apr. 26, 2011, eff. Dec. 1, 2011.
Statutes at Large Reference88 Stat. 1945
Public Law ReferencePublic Law 93-595

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ARTICLE IX. AUTHENTICATION AND IDENTIFICATION - 28 U.S.C. App § 903 (2012)
Rule 903. Subscribing Witness's Testimony

A subscribing witness's testimony is necessary to authenticate a writing only if required by the law of the jurisdiction that governs its validity.

(Pub. L. 93–595, §1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1945; Apr. 26, 2011, eff. Dec. 1, 2011.)

Notes of Advisory Committee on Proposed Rules

The common law required that attesting witnesses be produced or accounted for. Today the requirement has generally been abolished except with respect to documents which must be attested to be valid, e.g. wills in some states. McCormick §188. Uniform Rule 71; California Evidence Code §1411; Kansas Code of Civil Procedure §60–468; New Jersey Evidence Rule 71; New York CPLR Rule 4537.

Committee Notes on Rules—2011 Amendment

The language of Rule 903 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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