Federal Rules Of Evidence – 1975 Technical Amendments
Including Amendments To:
- Fed. R. Evid. 410 (Inadmissibility of Pleas, Plea Discussions, and Related Statements)
- Fed. R. Evid. 606(b) (Inquiry into Validity of Verdict or Indictment)
- Fed. R. Evid. 803(23) (Judgment As To Personal, Family or General History, or Boundaries)
- Fed. R. Evid. 804(b)(3) (Statement Against Interest)
- Fed. R. Evid. 1101(e) (Rules Applicable In Part)
Overview
In 1975, the Federal Rules of Evidence were enacted. See Pub. L. No. 93-595, 88 Stat. 1929. For more information concerning the original enactment of the FRE, see 1975 FRE Original Enactment Legislative History.
After their enactment, Congress approved legislation to make technical amendments. See Pub. L. No. 94-149, 89 Stat. 805. The technical amendments affected the table of contents and FRE 410, FRE 606(b), FRE 803(23), FRE 804(b)(3), and FRE 1101(e).
For some cases discussing the legislative history of the 1975 amendment, see
- United States v. Lawson, 683 F.2d 688, 693 (2d Cir. 1982) (reviewing legislative history of FRE 410; “Fed. R. Evid. 410 as enacted on January 2, 1975, thus never became effective because Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(e)(6) was inconsistent with it. On December 12, 1975, a version of Rule 410 identical to Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(e)(6), was adopted by the Congress. Pub. L. No. 94-149, § 1(9), 89 Stat. 805 (1975).”)
- United States v. Davis, 617 F.2d 677, 683 n.15 (D.C. Cir. 1979) (reviewing legislative history of FRE 410), cert. denied, 445 U.S. 967 (1980)
Congressional Timeline
The timeline of the congressional action is indicated below:
| Date | Congressional Action |
|---|---|
| Sept. 30, 1975 | Representative William L. Hungate, Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, introduced H.R. 9915, 94th Cong., 1st Sess., which is referred to the House Judiciary Committee; Title: A bill to make technical amendments to the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and to related provisions of titles 18 and 28 of the United States Code. See 121 Cong. Rec. 30936 (Sept. 30, 1975). |
| Oct. 30, 1975 | House Judiciary Committee reports measure to the House of Representatives with amendment. See H. Rep. 599, 94th Cong., 1st. Sess. (1975). |
| Nov. 3, 1975 | House passes measure by a vote of 360 to 0. See Roll Call No. 660. See 121 Cong. Rec. 34642-49 (Sept. 30, 1975). |
| Nov. 10, 1975 | Placed on calendar in Senate. See 121 Cong. Rec. 35717 (Nov. 10, 1975). |
| Nov. 13, 1975 | Senate passes measure with amendments. See 121 Cong. Rec. 36358 (Nov. 13, 1975). |
| Dec. 1, 1975 | House agrees to Senate amendments and approves measure. See 121 Cong. Rec. 37867, 37921 (Dec. 1, 1975). |
| Dec. 1, 1975 | Measure cleared for White House. |
| Dec. 3, 1975 | Measure enrolled in the House. See 121 Cong. Rec. 38330 (Dec. 3, 1975). |
| Dec. 4, 1975 | Measure enrolled in the Senate and presented to the President. See 121 Cong. Rec. 38531 (Dec. 4, 1975). |
| Dec. 12, 1975 | Signed by President. See Pub. L. No. 94-149, 89 Stat. 805. |
