Article VI - Witnesses
Massachusetts Section | Corresponding Federal Rule | Comparison |
MGE § 601(a) | FRE 601 | Differences. FRE 601 further provides that in a civil case, State law governs the witness's competency regarding a claim or defense for which State law supplies the rule of decision. |
MGE § 601(b) | n/a | No corresponding FRE. |
MGE § 601(c) | n/a | No corresponding FRE. |
MGE § 602 | FRE 602 | Identical. |
MGE § 603 | FRE 603 | Identical. |
MGE § 604 | FRE 604 | Identical. |
MGE § 605 | FRE 605 | Differences. FRE 605 provides that a party need not object to preserve the issue. |
MGE § 606(a) | FRE 606(a) | Identical. |
MGE § 606(b) | FRE 606(b)(1) | Substantially similar. Under MGE § 606(b), the court may ask jurors to affirm the recorded verdict. |
MGE § 606(c) | FRE 606(b)(2) | Substantially similar. MGE § 606(c) additionally permits inquiry into jurors' answers to voir dire questions and racial or ethnic bias. |
MGE § 607 | FRE 607 | Differences. FRE 607 does not limit the impeachment methods that may be used by the proponent of a witness. |
MGE § 608(a) | FRE 608(a) | Differences. FRE 608(a) allows the use of opinion evidence. |
MGE § 608(b) | FRE 608(b) | Significant differences. |
MGE § 609(a) | FRE 609(a) | Significant differences. |
MGE § 609(b) | n/a | No corresponding FRE. |
MGE § 610 | FRE 610 | Identical. |
MGE § 611(a) | FRE 611(a) | Substantially similar. |
MGE § 611(b) | FRE 611(b) | Significant differences. These include that FRE 611(b) limits the scope of cross-examination to the scope of the direct and matters affecting the witness's credibility. |
MGE § 611(c) | FRE 611(c) | Substantially similar. FRE 611(c) does not refer to investigators appointed under State law. |
MGE § 611(d) | n/a | No corresponding FRE. |
MGE § 611(e) | n/a | No corresponding FRE. |
MGE § 611(f) | n/a | No corresponding FRE. |
MGE § 611(g) | n/a | No corresponding FRE. |
MGE § 612(a) | FRE 612(a) &(b) | Significant differences. |
MGE § 612(b) | FRE 612(a) | Significant differences. |
MGE § 613(a) | FRE 613(a) &(b) | Significant differences. |
MGE § 613(b) | n/a | No corresponding FRE. |
MGE § 614(a) | FRE 614(a) | Substantially similar. |
MGE § 614(b) | FRE 614(b) | Differences. FRE 614(b) omits any reference to the purpose of the court's examination of a witness. |
MGE § 614(c) | FRE 614(c) | Substantially similar. |
MGE § 614(d) | n/a | No corresponding FRE. |
MGE § 615 | FRE 615 | Differences. Upon a party's request, FRE 615 requires, rather than permits, sequestration of witnesses and includes a different list of specific persons who may not be sequestered. FRE 615 sequestration orders may also prohibit disclosure of, or access to, trial testimony. |