Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/529bv.pdf
Page Number: 1175.0

Date/Time: 11-02-00 08:45:59
Job: 529RUL

Unit: U3EV

Pagination Table: RULES1

AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL RULES
OF EVIDENCE

Rule 103. Rulings on evidence.

(a) Effect of erroneous ruling.—Error may not be predi-
cated upon a ruling which admits or excludes evidence unless
a substantial right of the party is affected, and

(1) Objection.—In case the ruling is one admitting ev-
idence, a timely objection or motion to strike appears of
record, stating the speciﬁc ground of objection, if the
speciﬁc ground was not apparent from the context; or
(2) Offer of proof.—In case the ruling is one excluding
evidence, the substance of the evidence was made known
to the court by offer or was apparent from the context
within which questions were asked.

Once the court makes a deﬁnitive ruling on the record ad-
mitting or excluding evidence, either at or before trial, a
party need not renew an objection or offer of proof to pre-
serve a claim of error for appeal.

(b) Record of offer and ruling.—The court may add any
other or further statement which shows the character of the
evidence, the form in which it was offered, the objection
made, and the ruling thereon.
It may direct the making of
an offer in question and answer form.

(c) Hearing of jury.—In jury cases, proceedings shall be
conducted, to the extent practicable, so as to prevent inad-
missible evidence from being suggested to the jury by any
means, such as making statements or offers of proof or ask-
ing questions in the hearing of the jury.

(d) Plain error.—Nothing in this rule precludes taking
notice of plain errors affecting substantial rights although
they were not brought to the attention of the court.

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