Article VIII - Hearsay
Massachusetts Section | Corresponding Federal Rule | Comparison |
MGE § 801(a) | FRE 801(a) | Identical. |
MGE § 801(b) | FRE 801(b) | Identical. |
MGE § 801(c) | FRE 801(c) | Identical. |
MGE § 801(d)(1)(A) | FRE 801(d)(1)(A) | Differences. |
MGE § 801(d)(1)(B) | FRE 801(d)(1)(B) | Significant differences. FRE 801(d)(1)(B) excludes from the definition of hearsay certain prior consistent statements of a witness. |
MGE § 801(d)(2) | FRE 801(d)(2) | Substantially similar. |
MGE § 802 | FRE 802 | Differences. FRE 802 provides for hearsay exceptions if found in a Federal statute, another FRE, or a rule prescribed by the United States Supreme Court. |
MGE § 803 | FRE 803 | Significant differences. |
MGE § 804(a) | FRE 804(a) | Differences. FRE 804(a)(2) additionally considers unavailable a witness who refuses to testify despite a court order, even on grounds other than privilege. FRE 804(a)(3) recognizes lack of memory of the subject matter as ground for unavailability in both civil and criminal cases, whereas the Supreme Judicial Court has currently recognized this ground only in civil cases. |
MGE § 804(b) | FRE 804(b) | Significant differences. |
MGE § 805 | FRE 805 | Substantially similar. |
MGE § 806 | FRE 806 | Differences. FRE 806 extends this rule to certain statements of an opposing party. |
MGE § 807 | FRE 807 | Significant differences. FRE 807 recognizes a residual hearsay exception whereas MGE § 807 does not. |