Rule 403 Excluding Relevant Evidence for Prejudice, Confusion, Waste

This rule tracks F.R.E. 403. In Concord Towers, Inc. v. Long, Del. Supr., 348 A.2d 325 (1975), the Delaware Supreme Court ruled that whether the existence of surprise is reversible error depends on whether the surprise is prejudicial. It is not intended that this rule will change that rule of law. See also Bennett v. State, Del. Supr., 164 A.2d 442 (Supr.1960) and Hoey v. Hawkins, Del. Supr., 332 A.2d 403 (1975). D.R.E. 403 was amended in 2017 in response to the 2011 restyling of the Federal Rules of Evidence. The amendment is intended to be stylistic only. There is no intent to change any result in ruling on evidence admissibility.