Rule · Federal Rules of Evidence
Fed. R. Evid. 701 — Opinion Testimony by Lay Witnesses
Fed. R. Evid. 701
- Type
- Rule
- Source
- Federal Rules of Evidence
- Jurisdiction
- Federal
- Date
- 2026-10-22
- Current through
- Nov 3, 2026 (Office of the Law Revision Counsel)
If a witness is not testifying as an expert, testimony in the form of an opinion is limited to one that is: (a) rationally based on the witness’s perception; (b) helpful to clearly understanding the witness’s testimony or to determining a fact in issue; and (c) not based on scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge within the scope of Rule 702.
Citator
Fed. R. Evid. 701 — Opinion Testimony by Lay Witnesses is in force in the current edition of the Code, and nothing recorded condemns it.
If a witness is not testifying as an expert, testimony in the form of an opinion is limited to one that is: (a) rationally based on the witness’s perception; (b) helpful to clearly understanding the witness’s testimony or to determining a fact in issue; and (c) not based on scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge within the scope of Rule 702.