# Ala. R. Evid. 102: Rule 102. Purpose and construction

> Alabama · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R102

## Section

- **Citation:** Ala. R. Evid. 102
- **Heading:** Rule 102. Purpose and construction
- **Jurisdiction:** Alabama
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Alabama Rules of Court / Alabama Rules of Evidence / Ala. R. Evid. 102

## Text

Alabama Rules of Evidence

Article I. General Provisions

Rule 102.

Purpose and construction.

These rules shall be construed to secure fairness in administration, elimination of
unjustifiable expense and delay, and promotion of growth and development of the law of
evidence to the end that the truth may be ascertained and proceedings justly determined.

Advisory Committee’s Notes

This general statement of purpose and construction is identical to that in Fed.R.Evid. 102.
The language used is similar to that found in other rules of practice and procedure. See, e.g.,
Ala.R.Civ.P. 1(c) (Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure are to be construed “to secure the just,
speedy and inexpensive determination of every action”); Ala. Code 1975, § (all provisions of the
Criminal Code are to be interpreted “according to the fair import of their terms to promote justice
and to effect the objects of law”); Ala.R.Crim.P. 1.2 (rules are to be constructed so as “to secure
simplicity in procedure, fairness in administration, and the elimination of unnecessary delay and
expense, and to protect the rights of the individual while preserving the public welfare”).

These rules have been modeled, except where a different treatment was deemed justified
for Alabama practice, after the Federal Rules of Evidence, and much of the material in the
advisory notes is devoted to a discussion of whether the Alabama Rule of Evidence is identical
to or different from its counterpart under the Federal Rules of Evidence. The committee assumes,
consequently, that cases interpreting the Federal Rules of Evidence will constitute authority for
construction of the Alabama Rules of Evidence. See, e.g., State v. Smith, 97 Wash. 2d 856, 651
P.2d 207 (1982); Smithey v. State, 269 Ark. 538, 602 S.W.2d 676 (1980). Cf. Ex parte Duncan
Constr. Co., 460 So.2d 852 (Ala.1984) (Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure are construed in light
of cases interpreting Federal Rules of Civil Procedure)
he Federal Rules of Evidence will constitute authority for
construction of the Alabama Rules of Evidence. See, e.g., State v. Smith, 97 Wash. 2d 856, 651
P.2d 207 (1982); Smithey v. State, 269 Ark. 538, 602 S.W.2d 676 (1980). Cf. Ex parte Duncan
Constr. Co., 460 So.2d 852 (Ala.1984) (Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure are construed in light
of cases interpreting Federal Rules of Civil Procedure). Cases interpreting the federal rules,
however, are persuasive rather than mandatory authority before the Alabama courts. See State
v. Outlaw, 108 Wis. 2d 112, 321 N.W.2d 145 (1982).

## Nearby sections

- [Ala. R. Evid. 101 Rule 101. Scope](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R101.md)
- [Ala. R. Evid. 102 Rule 102. Purpose and construction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R102.md)
- [Ala. R. Evid. 103 Rule 103. Rulings on evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R103.md)
- [Ala. R. Evid. 104 Rule 104. Preliminary questions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R104.md)
- [Ala. R. Evid. 105 Rule 105. Limited admissibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R105.md)
- [Ala. R. Evid. 106 Rule 106. Remainder of writings or recorded statements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R106.md)
- [Ala. R. Evid. 201 Rule 201. Judicial notice of adjudicative facts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R201.md)
- [Ala. R. Evid. 301 Rule 301. Presumptions in general in civil actions and proceedings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R301.md)
- [Ala. R. Evid. 302 Rule 302. Applicability of federal law in civil actions and proceedings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R302.md)
- [Ala. R. Evid. 401 Rule 401. Definition of "relevant evidence"](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R401.md)
- [Ala. R. Evid. 402 Rule 402. Relevant evidence generally admissible; irrelevant evidence inadmissible](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R402.md)
- [Ala. R. Evid. 403 Rule 403. Exclusion of relevant evidence on grounds of prejudice, confusion, or waste of time](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R403.md)
- [Ala. R. Evid. 404 Rule 404. Character evidence not admissible to prove conduct; exceptions; other crimes, wrongs, or acts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R404.md)
- [Ala. R. Evid. 405 Rule 405. Methods of proving character](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R405.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARE_R102. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.