Rule 902 concerns what type of documents?

Rule 902 concerns what type of documents?

• A. Hearsay Exceptions
• B. Character Evidence
• C. Privilege
• D. Self-Authenticating Documents

Answer: (D)

Rule 902 covers self-authenticating documents—the types of papers that can be admitted without extrinsic proof of authenticity because their genuineness is presumed. This includes official records and certified copies of public documents, newspapers and periodicals, trade inscriptions, acknowledged documents, commercial paper, and documents bearing a seal. Because authenticity is presumed, no separate witness is needed to prove they are what they claim to be. Hearsay exceptions, privilege, and character evidence address different issues (reliability of out-of-court statements, protected communications, and a person’s traits, respectively), not the automatic authentication of certain documents.

Rule 902 covers self-authenticating documents—the types of papers that can be admitted without extrinsic proof of authenticity because their genuineness is presumed. This includes official records and certified copies of public documents, newspapers and periodicals, trade inscriptions, acknowledged documents, commercial paper, and documents bearing a seal. Because authenticity is presumed, no separate witness is needed to prove they are what they claim to be. Hearsay exceptions, privilege, and character evidence address different issues (reliability of out-of-court statements, protected communications, and a person’s traits, respectively), not the automatic authentication of certain documents.