Texas Rules of Evidence – 2026
The Texas Rules of Evidence govern the admissibility of evidence in Texas courts, covering relevance, privileges, witnesses, opinions, hearsay, authentication, and the contents of writings and recordings.
ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Rule 101
Title, Scope, and Applicability of the Rules; Definitions
Rule 102
Purpose
Rule 103
Rulings on Evidence
Rule 104
Preliminary Questions
Rule 105
Evidence That Is Not Admissible Against Other Parties or for Other Purposes
Rule 106
Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded Statements
Rule 107
Rule of Optional Completeness
ARTICLE II. JUDICIAL NOTICE
ARTICLE IV. RELEVANCE AND ITS LIMITS
Rule 401
Test for Relevant Evidence Evidence is relevant if:
Rule 402
General Admissibility of Relevant Evidence
Rule 403
Excluding Relevant Evidence for Prejudice, Confusion, or Other Reasons
Rule 404
Character Evidence; Crimes or Other Acts
Rule 405
Methods of Proving Character
Rule 406
Habit; Routine Practice
Rule 407
Subsequent Remedial Measures; Notification of Defect
Rule 408
Compromise Offers and Negotiations
Rule 409
Offers to Pay Medical and Similar Expenses
Rule 410
Pleas, Plea Discussions, and Related Statements
Rule 411
Liability Insurance
Rule 412
Evidence of Previous Sexual Conduct in Criminal Cases
ARTICLE V. PRIVILEGES
Rule 501
Privileges in General
Rule 502
Required Reports Privileged By Statute
Rule 503
Lawyer–Client Privilege
Rule 504
Spousal Privileges
Rule 505
Privilege For Communications to a Clergy Member
Rule 506
Political Vote Privilege
Rule 507
Trade Secrets Privilege
Rule 508
Informer’s Identity Privilege
Rule 509
Physician–Patient Privilege
Rule 510
Mental Health Information Privilege in Civil Cases
Rule 511
Waiver by Voluntary Disclosure
Rule 512
Privileged Matter Disclosed Under Compulsion or Without Opportunity to Claim Privilege
Rule 513
Comment On or Inference From a Privilege Claim; Instruction
ARTICLE VI. WITNESSES
Rule 601
Competency to Testify in General; “Dead Man’s Rule”
Rule 602
Need for Personal Knowledge
Rule 603
Oath or Affirmation to Testify Truthfully
Rule 604
Interpreter
Rule 605
Judge’s Competency as a Witness
Rule 606
Juror’s Competency as a Witness
Rule 607
Who May Impeach a Witness
Rule 608
A Witness’s Character for Truthfulness or Untruthfulness
Rule 609
Impeachment by Evidence of a Criminal Conviction
Rule 610
Religious Beliefs or Opinions
Rule 611
Mode and Order of Examining Witnesses and Presenting Evidence
Rule 612
Writing Used to Refresh a Witness’s Memory
Rule 613
Witness’s Prior Statement and Bias or Interest
Rule 614
Excluding Witnesses
Rule 615
Producing a Witness’s Statement in Criminal Cases
ARTICLE VII. OPINIONS AND EXPERT TESTIMONY
ARTICLE VIII. HEARSAY
Rule 801
Definitions That Apply to This Article; Exclusions from Hearsay
Rule 802
The Rule Against Hearsay
Rule 803
Exceptions to the Rule Against Hearsay—Regardless of Whether the Declarant Is Available as a Witness
Rule 804
Exceptions to the Rule Against Hearsay—When the Declarant Is Unavailable as a Witness
Rule 805
Hearsay Within Hearsay
Rule 806
Attacking and Supporting the Declarant’s Credibility
ARTICLE IX. AUTHENTICATION AND IDENTIFICATION
ARTICLE X. CONTENTS OF WRITINGS, RECORDINGS, AND PHOTOGRAPHS
Rule 1001
Definitions That Apply to This Article In this article:
Rule 1002
Requirement of the Original
Rule 1003
Admissibility of Duplicates
Rule 1004
Admissibility of Other Evidence of Content
Rule 1005
Copies of Public Records to Prove Content
Rule 1006
Summaries to Prove Content
Rule 1007
Testimony or Statement of a Party to Prove Content
Rule 1008
Functions of the Court and Jury
Rule 1009
Translating a Foreign Language Document