In Re: Order Amending Rules 803(6), 803(8) and 803(10) Approving the Revision of the Comments to Rules 802, 803(7) and 803(9), and Adopting New Rule 902(13) of the Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence ( 2016 )

Rule 802. The Rule Against Hearsay
Hearsay is not admissible except as provided by these rules, by other rules
prescribed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, or by statute.
Comment
Pa.R.E. 802 differs from F.R.E. 802 in that it refers to other rules prescribed by
the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and to statutes in general, rather than federal
statutes.
Often, hearsay will be admissible under an exception provided by these rules.
The organization of the Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence generally follows the
organization of the Federal Rules of Evidence, but the Pennsylvania Rules’ organization
of the exceptions to the hearsay rule is somewhat different than the federal
organization. There are three rules which contain the exceptions: Pa.R.E. 803
Exceptions to the Rule Against Hearsay – Regardless of Whether the Declarant is
Available as a Witness, Pa.R.E. 803.1 Exceptions to the Rule Against Hearsay –
Testimony of Declarant Necessary, and Pa.R.E. 804 Exceptions to the Rule Against
Hearsay - When the Declarant is Unavailable as a Witness.
On occasion, hearsay may be admitted pursuant to another rule promulgated by
the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. For example, in civil cases, all or part of a deposition
may be admitted pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. No. 4020, or a video deposition of an expert
witness may be admitted pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. No. 4017.1(g). In preliminary hearings
in criminal cases, the court may consider hearsay evidence pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P.
542(E) and 1003(E). In criminal trials, Pa.R.Crim.P. 574 provides a procedure for the
admission of forensic laboratory reports supported by a certification.
Also, hearsay may be admitted pursuant to a state statute. Examples include:
1. A public record may be admitted pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 6104. See
Comment to Pa.R.E. 803(8) [(Not Adopted)].
* * *
Note: Adopted May 8, 1998, effective October 1, 1998; Comment revised March 23,
1999, effective immediately; Comment revised March 10, 2000, effective immediately;
Comment revised March 29, 2001, effective April 1, 2001; rescinded and replaced
January 17, 2013, effective March 18, 2013; Comment revised February 19, 2014,
effective April 1, 2014; Comment revised November 9, 2016, effective January 1,
2017.
Committee Explanatory Reports:
Final Report explaining the March 23, 1999 technical revisions to the Comment
published with the Court’s Order at 29 Pa.B. 1714 (April 3, 1999).
Final Report explaining the March 10, 2000 changes updating the seventh
paragraph of the Comment published with the Court’s Order at 30 Pa.B. 1641 (March
25, 2000).
Final Report explaining the March 29, 2001 revision of the Comment published
with the Court’s Order at 31 Pa.B. 1995 (April 14, 2001).
Final Report explaining the January 17, 2013 rescission and replacement
published with the Court’s Order at 43 Pa.B. 620 (February 2, 2013).
Final Report explaining the February 19, 2014 revision of the Comment
published with the Court's Order at 44 Pa.B. 1309 (March 8, 2014).
Final Report explaining the November 9, 2016 revision of the Comment
published with the Court’s Order at __ Pa.B. __ (_____ __, 2016).
Rule 803(6). Records of a Regularly Conducted Activity
(6) Records of a Regularly Conducted Activity. A record (which includes a
memorandum, report, or data compilation in any form) of an act, event or
condition if:[,]
(A) the record was made at or near the time by — or from information
transmitted by—someone with knowledge;
(B) the record was kept in the course of a regularly conducted activity of a
“business”, which term includes business, institution, association,
profession, occupation, and calling of every kind, whether or not
conducted for profit;
(C) making the record was a regular practice of that activity;
(D) all these conditions are shown by the testimony of the custodian or
another qualified witness, or by a certification that complies with Rule
902(11) or (12) or with a statute permitting certification; and
(E) [neither] the opponent does not show that the source of information
[n]or other circumstances indicate a lack of trustworthiness.
Comment
Pa.R.E. 803(6) differs from F.R.E. 803(6). One difference is that Pa.R.E. 803(6)
defines the term “record.” In the Federal Rules this definition appears at F.R.E. 101(b).
Another difference is that Pa.R.E. 803(6) applies to records of an act, event or
condition, but does not include opinions and diagnoses. This is consistent with prior
Pennsylvania case law. See Williams v. McClain, [513 Pa. 300,] 520 A.2d 1374 (Pa.
1987); Commonwealth v. DiGiacomo, [463 Pa. 449,] 345 A.2d 605 (Pa. 1975). A third
difference is that Pa.R.E. 803(6) allows the court to exclude business records that would
otherwise qualify for exception to the hearsay rule if [neither] the “source of information
[n]or other circumstances indicate lack of trustworthiness.” The Federal Rule allows the
court to do so only if [neither] either “the source of information [nor] or the method or
circumstances of preparation indicate a lack of trustworthiness.”
If offered against a defendant in a criminal case, an entry in a record may be
excluded if its admission would violate the defendant's constitutional right to confront the
witnesses against him or her[.], [S]see Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts, 557 U.S. 305(2009); however, forensic laboratory reports may be admissible in lieu of
testimony by the person who performed the analysis or examination that is the
subject of the report, see Pa.R.Crim.P. 574.
Rule 803(7). Absence of a Record of a Regularly Conducted Activity (Not
Adopted)
Comment
Pennsylvania has not adopted F.R.E. 803(7) which provides:
Evidence that a matter is not included in a record described in [paragraph
(6)] [F.R.E. 803(6)] if:
(A) the evidence is admitted to prove that the matter did not
occur or exist; [and]
(B) a record was regularly kept for a matter of that kind; and
(C) [neither] the opponent does not show that the possible
source of the information [n]or other circumstances indicate
a lack of trustworthiness.
Principles of logic and internal consistency have led Pennsylvania to reject this
rule. The absence of an entry in a record is not hearsay, as defined in Pa.R.E. 801(c).
Hence, it appears irrational to except it to the hearsay rule.
On analysis, absence of an entry in a business record is circumstantial evidence
- it tends to prove something by implication, not assertion. Its admissibility is governed
by principles of relevance, not hearsay. See Pa.R.E. 401, et seq.
Pennsylvania law is in accord with the object of F.R.E. 803(7), i.e., to allow
evidence of the absence of a record of an act, event, or condition to be introduced to
prove the nonoccurrence or nonexistence thereof, if the matter was one which would
ordinarily be recorded. See Klein v. F.W. Woolworth Co., [309 Pa. 320,] 163 A. 532(Pa. 1932) (absence of person's name in personnel records admissible to prove that he
was not an employee). See also Stack v. Wapner, [244 Pa. Super. 278,] 368 A.2d 292(Pa. Super. 1976).
Rule 803(8). Public Records [(Not Adopted)]
(8) Public Records [(Not Adopted)]. A record of a public office if:
(A) the record describes the facts of the action taken or matter observed;
(B) the recording of this action or matter observed was an official public
duty; and
(C) the opponent does not show that the source of the information or other
circumstances indicate a lack of trustworthiness.
Comment
[Pennsylvania has not adopted F.R.E. 803(8). An exception to the hearsay
rule for public records is provided by 42 Pa.C.S. § 6104 which provides:
(a) General rule.- A copy of a record of governmental action or
inaction authenticated as provided in section 6103 (relating to proof
of official records) shall be admissible as evidence that the
governmental action or inaction disclosed therein was in fact taken
or omitted.
(b) Existence of facts.- A copy of a record authenticated as provided
in section 6103 disclosing the existence or nonexistence of facts
which have been recorded pursuant to official duty or would have
been so recorded had the facts existed shall be admissible as
evidence of the existence or nonexistence of such facts, unless the
sources of information or other circumstances indicate lack of
trustworthiness.
Subsection (b) of the statute is limited to “facts.” It does not include
opinions or diagnoses. This is consistent with Pa.R.E. 803(6), and Pennsylvania
case law. See Comment to Pa.R.E. 803(6).]
Pa.R.E. 803(8) differs from F.R.E. 803(8) insofar as it reflects the hearsay
exception for public records provided in 42 Pa.C.S. § 6104. See Rules 901(b)(7),
902(1)-(4) and 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5328, 6103, and 6106 for authentication of public
records.
Rule 803(9). Public Records of Vital Statistics (Not Adopted)
(9) Public Records of Vital Statistics (Not Adopted)
Comment
Pennsylvania has not adopted F.R.E. 803(9). Records of vital statistics are also
records of a regularly conducted activity and may be excepted to the hearsay rule by
Pa.R.E. 803(6). Records of vital statistics are public records and they may be excepted
to the hearsay rule by 42 Pa.C.S. § 6104 [(text quoted in Comment to Pa.R.E.
803(8))].
* * *
Rule 803(10). [Absence] Non-Existence of a Public Record [(Not Adopted)]
(10) [Absence] Non-Existence of a Public Record [(Not Adopted)]. Testimony -
or a certification - that a diligent search failed to disclose a public record if:
(A) the testimony or certification is admitted to prove that
(i) the record does not exist; or
(ii) a matter did not occur or exist, if a public office regularly kept a
record for a matter of that kind.
(B) in a criminal case:
(i) the attorney for the Commonwealth who intends to offer a
certification files and serves written notice of that intent upon the
defendant’s attorney or, if unrepresented, the defendant, at least 20
days before trial; and
(ii) defendant’s attorney or, if unrepresented, the defendant, does not
file and serve a written demand for testimony in lieu of the
certification within 10 days of service of the notice.
Comment
[Pennsylvania has not adopted F.R.E. 803(10) for the same reasons that it
did not adopt F.R.E. 803(7). See Comment to Pa.R.E. 803(7).
42 Pa.C.S. § 6104(b), provides for admissibility of evidence of the absence
of an entry in a public record to prove the nonexistence of a fact:
(b) Existence of facts.- A copy of a record authenticated as provided
in section 6103 disclosing the ... nonexistence of facts which ...
would have been ... recorded had the facts existed shall be
admissible as evidence of the ... nonexistence of such facts, unless
the sources of information or other circumstances indicate lack of
trustworthiness.
Pennsylvania also has a complementary statute, 42 Pa.C.S. § 5328, entitled
“Proof of Official Records,” which provides, in pertinent part:
(d) Lack of record.- A written statement that after diligent search no
record or entry of a specified tenor is found to exist in the records
designated by the statement, authenticated as provided in this
section in the case of a domestic record, or complying with the
requirements of this section for a summary in the case of a record in
a foreign country, is admissible as evidence that the records contain
no such record or entry.]
Pa.R.E. 803(10)(A) differs from F.R.E. 803(10)(A) insofar as it does not
include “statements.” This rule is consistent with Pennsylvania law. See 42
Pa.C.S. §§ 5328(d) and 6103(b). See also Pa.R.E. 902(13) (authentication of
certificate).
Pa.R.E. 803(10)(B) differs from F.R.E. 803(10)(B) insofar as it is made
consistent with aspects of Pa.R.Crim.P. 574. Like the federal rule, this rule is
intended to provide a mechanism for a defendant to exercise the constitutional
right to confront the witnesses against him or her. See Melendez-Diaz v.
Massachusetts, 557 U.S. 305 (2009). Nothing in this evidentiary rule is intended
to supersede procedural requirements within the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal
Procedure, see, e.g., Pa.R.Crim.P. 576 (Filing and Service by Parties), or limit the
ability of the court to extend the time periods contained herein.
Note: Adopted May 8, 1998, effective October 1, 1998; Comment revised March 23,
1999, effective immediately; Comment revised March 10, 2000, effective immediately;
Comment revised May 16, 2001, effective July 1, 2001; amended November 2, 2001,
effective January 1, 2002; rescinded and replaced January 17, 2013, effective March
18, 2013; amended November 9, 2016, effective January 1, 2017.
Committee Explanatory Reports:
Final Report explaining the March 23, 1999 technical revisions to the Comment
for paragraph 25 published with the Court’s Order at 29 Pa.B. 1714 (April 3, 1999).
Final Report explaining the March 10, 2000 revision of the Comment for
paragraph 25 published with the Court’s Order at 30 Pa.B. 1641 (March 25, 2000).
Final Report explaining the May 16, 2001 revision of the Comment for paragraph
18 published with the Court's Order at 31 Pa.B. 2789 (June 2, 2001).
Final Report explaining the November 2, 2001[,] amendments to paragraph 6
published with the Court’s Order at 31 Pa.B. 6384 (November 24, 2001).
Final Report explaining the January 17, 2013 rescission and replacement
published with the Court’s Order at 43 Pa.B. 620 (February 2, 2013).
Final Report explaining the November 9, 2016 amendments to paragraph 6,
8, 10, and revision of the Comment for paragraph 7 and 9 published with the
Court’s Order at __ Pa.B. __ (_____ __, 2016).
Rule 902. Evidence That is Self-Authenticating
The following items of evidence are self-authenticating; they require no extrinsic
evidence of authenticity in order to be admitted:
***
(13) Certificate of Non-Existence of a Public Record – A certificate that a
document was not recorded or filed in a public office as authorized by law
if certified by the custodian or another person authorized to make the
certificate.
Comment
***
Pa.R.E. 902(13) has no counterpart in the Federal Rules. This rule provides
for the self-authentication of a certificate of the non-existence of a public record,
as provided in Pa.R.E. 803(10)(A).
Note: Adopted May 8, 1998, effective October 1, 1998; amended November 2, 2001,
effective January 1, 2002; amended February 23, 2004, effective May 1, 2004;
rescinded and replaced January 17, 2013, effective March 18, 2013; amended
November 9, 2016, effective January 1, 2017.
Committee Explanatory Reports:
Final Report explaining the November 2, 2001 amendments adding paragraphs
(11) and (12) published with Court’s Order at 31 Pa.B. 6384 (November 24, 2001).
Final Report explaining the February 23, 2004 amendment of paragraph (12)
published with Court’s Order at 34 Pa.B. 1429 (March 13, 2004).
Final Report explaining the January 17, 2013 rescission and replacement
published with the Court’s Order at 43 Pa.B. 620 (February 2, 2013).
Final Report explaining the November 9, 2016 addition of paragraph (13)
published with the Court’s Order at __ Pa.B. __ (_____ __, 2016).