FRE · Rule 411

FRE Rule 411

Quick Answer

What is FRE Rule 411?

FRE Rule 411 addresses the admissibility of liability insurance as evidence in court. It seeks to prevent prejudice against a party concerning their insurance coverage.

Source: FRE Rule 411

Official Text
Evidence of the existence or amount of liability insurance is not admissible to prove whether the person acted negligently or otherwise wrongfully.
Plain Language

FRE Rule 411 prohibits the use of evidence regarding a party's liability insurance to show that the party acted negligently or committed a wrongful act. This rule emphasizes that such evidence can unfairly bias the jury against the defendant.

Purpose

The purpose of this rule is to ensure that juries remain focused on the facts of the case rather than the financial resources of the parties involved, which could lead to unfair prejudice.

Key Provisions

General rule

Evidence of liability insurance is not admissible for proving negligence or wrongdoing.

Exceptions

Evidence of liability insurance may be admissible for other purposes, such as to prove the agency, ownership, or control of the vehicle or instrumentality involved.

Practice Notes
  • Consider the implications of introducing liability insurance evidence in trial; it could unwittingly sway the jury's opinion.
  • Ensure that any evidence presented under the exceptions is clearly relevant to the case and not solely meant to demonstrate fault.
  • Be prepared to argue against the admissibility of liability insurance if you represent a party that could be prejudiced by its introduction.
Landmark Cases

Gordon v. Lunsford

This case analyzed the applicability of FRE Rule 411 and emphasized that evidence of liability insurance was correctly excluded as it could lead to prejudicial conclusions about the defendant's conduct.

Exam Tip

FRE Rule 411 often appears on exams in the context of analyzing the admissibility of evidence, so be prepared to discuss exceptions and implications for trial strategy.

Related Rules
  • fre-rule-402
  • fre-rule-403

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