maine rules of evidence...4 rule 608. a witness’s character for truthfulness or untruthfulness...

1

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

4

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.

12

(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

13

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.

15

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;

20

(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.

21

(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;

25

(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.

26

(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

27

(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

28

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.

29

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

30

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:

31

(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.

32

(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.

33

(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.

34

(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.

35

(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.

36

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;

37

(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

38

(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.

39

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.

40

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.

41

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.

42

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.

43

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.

44

(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:

45

(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

46

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

47

(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:

48

(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.

49

(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:

50

(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

51

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;

52

(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

54

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:

55

(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:

56

(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

57

(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

58

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.

59

(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

60

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.

*****Endofdocument*****