# PA. R. Ct. 402: Rule 402. General Admissibility of Relevant Evidence

> Pennsylvania · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R402

## Section

- **Citation:** PA. R. Ct. 402
- **Heading:** Rule 402. General Admissibility of Relevant Evidence
- **Jurisdiction:** Pennsylvania
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** PA Court Rules / Title 225 / Rule 402

## Text

All relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided by law. Evidence that is not relevant is not admissible. Comment Pa.R.E. 402 differs from F.R.E. 402. The Federal Rule specifically enumerates the various sources of federal rule-making power. Pa.R.E. 402 substitutes the phrase ‘‘by law’’. Pa.R.E. 402 states a fundamental concept of the law of evidence. Relevant evidence is admissible; evidence that is not relevant is not admissible. This concept is modified by the exceptions clause of the rule, which states another fundamental principle of evidentiary law—relevant evidence may be excluded by operation of constitutional law, by statute, by these rules, by other rules promulgated by the Supreme Court or by rules of evidence created by case law. Examples of decisionally created rules of exclusion that are not abrogated by the adoption of these rules include: the corpus delicti rule, Commonwealth v. Ware , 459 Pa. 334, 329 A.2d 258 (1974); the collateral source rule, see Boudwin v. Yellow Cab Co. , 410 Pa. 31, 188 A.2d 259 (1963); the parol evidence rule, see Yocca v. Pittsburgh Steelers Sports, Inc. , 578 Pa. 479, 854 A.2d 425 (2004); and the rule excluding certain evidence to rebut the presumption of legitimacy, see John M. v. Paula T. , 524 Pa. 306, 571 A.2d 1380 (1990). Official Note Adopted May 8, 1998, effective October 1, 1998; rescinded and replaced January 17, 2013, effective March 18, 2013. Committee Explanatory Reports : Final Report explaining the January 17, 2013 rescission and replacement published with the Court’s Order at 43 Pa.B. 651 (February 2, 2013). Source The provisions of this Rule 402 rescinded and replaced January 17, 2013, effective in sixty days, 43 Pa.B. 620. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (317753) to (317754).

## Nearby sections

- [PA. R. Ct. 101 Rule 101. Scope, Adoption and Citation, and Construction of Rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R101.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 102 Rule 102. Application of Rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R102.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 103 Rule 103. Rulings on Evidence.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R103.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 104 Rule 104. Preliminary Questions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R104.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 105 Rule 105. Limiting Evidence That is Not Admissible Against Other Parties or for Other Purposes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R105.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 106 Rule 106. Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded Statements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R106.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 201 Rule 201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R201.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 301 Rule 301. Presumptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R301.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 401 Rule 401. Test for Relevant Evidence.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R401.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 402 Rule 402. General Admissibility of Relevant Evidence.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R402.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 403 Rule 403. Excluding Relevant Evidence for Prejudice, Confusion, Waste of Time, or Other Reasons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R403.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 404 Rule 404. Character Evidence; Other Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R404.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 405 Rule 405. Methods of Proving Character.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R405.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 406 Rule 406. Habit; Routine Practice.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R406.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R402. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.