Rule 601 deals with competency of witnesses. Both the House and Senate bills provide that federal competency law applies in criminal cases. In civil actions and proceedings, the House bill provides that state competency law applies “to an element of a claim or defense as to which State law supplies the rule of decision.”

These are the Federal Rules of Evidence, as amended to December 1, 2024. Click on any rule to read it. Rule 101. Scope; Definitions. Rule 102. Purpose. Rule 103. Rulings on Evidence. Rule 104. Preliminary Questions. Rule 105. Limiting Evidence That Is Not Admissible Against Other Parties or for Other Purposes. Rule 106.

Federal Rule of Evidence 601 addresses the issue of witness competency in United States federal courts. This rule is fundamental in determining who is eligible to testify in court. Here’s a summary and explanation of Rule 601:

Rule 601. General Rule of Competency. Every person is competent to be a witness except as otherwise provided in these rules. However, in civil actions and proceedings, with respect to an element of a claim or defense as to which State law supplies the rule of decision, the competency of a witness shall be determined in accordance with State law.

Rule 601. Competency to Testify in General. Every person is competent to be a witness unless these rules provide otherwise. But 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.

Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product; Limitations on Waiver Up Rule 601. Competency to Testify in General ›.

Rule 601 provides that the determination of witnesses' competency be made by the judge at the time of trial. Witnesses who may testify after being ruled competent to do so include convicted felons, young children, spouses, the mentally ill, accomplices, narcotic …

Rule 601. GENERAL RULE OF COMPETENCY. Every person is competent to be a witness except as otherwise provided in these rules. However, in civil actions and proceedings, with respect to an element of a claim or defense as to which State law supplies the rule of decision, the competency of a witness shall be determined in accordance with State law.

Every person is competent to be a witness unless these rules provide otherwise. But 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.

However, in civil actions and proceedings, with respect to an element of a claim or defense as to which State law supplies the rule of decision, the competency of a witness shall be determined in accordance with State law. See Federal Rules of Evidence.