Rule 101 Scope; Definitions

These evidence rules apply to court cases in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. They set the ground rules for what evidence can be used and how it works in both civil and criminal cases heard in CNMI courts.

The rule also explains some basic terms used throughout the evidence rules. A "civil case" means any civil lawsuit or legal proceeding, while a "criminal case" covers criminal proceedings. When the rules mention a "public office," this also includes public agencies. A "record" can be a memo, report, or any collection of data, not just a formal document.

The rule also clarifies what counts as a "rule prescribed by the Supreme Court." This means any rule the CNMI Supreme Court has officially adopted using its constitutional or legal authority. Finally, whenever these rules mention written materials or other types of media, this includes electronic information, like emails, digital files, or other computer records. This keeps the rules up to date with modern technology.