Applicability of the Rules

U.S Code last checked for updates: Feb 19, 2025

Rule 1101.

(a)

To Courts and Judges.

These rules apply to proceedings before:

• United States district courts;

• United States bankruptcy and magistrate judges;

• United States courts of appeals;

• the United States Court of Federal Claims; and

• the district courts of Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

(b)

To Cases and Proceedings.

These rules apply in:

• civil cases and proceedings, including bankruptcy, admiralty, and maritime cases;

• criminal cases and proceedings; and

• contempt proceedings, except those in which the court may act summarily.

(c)

Rules on Privilege.

The rules on privilege apply to all stages of a case or proceeding.

(d)

Exceptions.

These rules—except for those on privilege—do not apply to the following:

(1)

the court’s determination, under Rule 104(a), on a preliminary question of fact governing admissibility;

(2)

grand-jury proceedings; and

(3)

miscellaneous proceedings such as:

• extradition or rendition;

• issuing an arrest warrant, criminal summons, or search warrant;

• a preliminary examination in a criminal case;

• sentencing;

• granting or revoking probation or supervised release; and

• considering whether to release on bail or otherwise.

(e)

Other Statutes and Rules.

A federal statute or a rule prescribed by the Supreme Court may provide for admitting or excluding evidence independently from these rules.

(Pub. L. 93–595, § 1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1947; Pub. L. 94–149, § 1(14), Dec. 12, 1975, 89 Stat. 806; Pub. L. 95–598, title II, §§ 251, 252, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2673; Pub. L. 97–164, title I, § 142, Apr. 2, 1982, 96 Stat. 45; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Oct. 1, 1987; Apr. 25, 1988, eff. Nov. 1, 1988; Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7075(c), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4405; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993; Apr. 26, 2011, eff. Dec. 1, 2011.)