# N.D.R.Ev. 104: Rule 104. PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS

> North Dakota · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R104

## Section

- **Citation:** N.D.R.Ev. 104
- **Heading:** Rule 104. PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS
- **Jurisdiction:** North Dakota
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** North Dakota Court Rules / North Dakota Rules of Evidence / N.D.R.Ev. 104

## Text

(a) In General.
The court must decide any preliminary question about whether a witness is qualified, a privilege exists, or evidence is admissible. In so deciding, the court is not bound by evidence rules, except those on privilege.
(b) Relevance That Depends on a Fact.
When the relevance of evidence depends on whether a fact exists, proof must be introduced sufficient to support a finding that the fact does exist. The court may admit the proposed evidence on the condition that the proof be introduced later.
(c) Conducting a Hearing So That the Jury Cannot Hear It.
The court must conduct any hearing on a preliminary question so that the jury cannot hear it if:
(1) the hearing involves the admissibility of a confession;
(2) a defendant in a criminal case is a witness and so requests; or
(3) justice so requires.
(d) Cross-Examining a Defendant in a Criminal Case.
By testifying on a preliminary question, a defendant in a criminal case does not become subject to cross-examination on other issues in the case.
(e) Evidence Relevant to Weight and Credibility.
This rule does not limit a party's right to introduce before the jury evidence that is relevant to the weight or credibility of other evidence.

## Nearby sections

- [N.D.R.Ev. 101 Rule 101. SCOPE; DEFINITIONS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R101.md)
- [N.D.R.Ev. 101 (version effective 4/8/1976 to 3/1/2014) Rule 101. SCOPE; DEFINITIONS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R101_V19760408_20140301.md)
- [N.D.R.Ev. 102 Rule 102. PURPOSE](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R102.md)
- [N.D.R.Ev. 102 (version effective 4/8/1976 to 3/1/2014) Rule 102. PURPOSE](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R102_V19760408_20140301.md)
- [N.D.R.Ev. 103 Rule 103. RULINGS ON EVIDENCE](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R103.md)
- [N.D.R.Ev. 103 (version effective 4/8/1976 to 3/1/2014) Rule 103. RULINGS ON EVIDENCE](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R103_V19760408_20140301.md)
- [N.D.R.Ev. 104 Rule 104. PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R104.md)
- [N.D.R.Ev. 104 (version effective 3/1/1990 to 3/1/2014) Rule 104. PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R104_V19900301_20140301.md)
- [N.D.R.Ev. 105 Rule 105. LIMITING EVIDENCE THAT IS NOT ADMISSIBLE AGAINST OTHER PARTIES OR FOR OTHER PURPOSES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R105.md)
- [N.D.R.Ev. 105 (version effective 4/8/1976 to 3/1/2014) Rule 105. LIMITING EVIDENCE THAT IS NOT ADMISSIBLE AGAINST OTHER PARTIES OR FOR OTHER PURPOSES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R105_V19760408_20140301.md)
- [N.D.R.Ev. 106 Rule 106. REMAINDER OF OR RELATED STATEMENTS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R106.md)
- [N.D.R.Ev. 106 (version effective 3/1/1990 to 3/1/2014) Rule 106. REMAINDER OF OR RELATED STATEMENTS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R106_V19900301_20140301.md)
- [N.D.R.Ev. 106 (version effective 3/1/2014 to 2/28/2025) Rule 106. REMAINDER OF OR RELATED STATEMENTS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R106_V20140301_20250228.md)
- [N.D.R.Ev. 107 Rule 107. ILLUSTRATIVE AIDS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R107.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ND_NDREV_R104. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.