# Tex. R. Evid. 104: Rule 104. Preliminary Questions

> Texas · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R104

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. R. Evid. 104
- **Heading:** Rule 104. Preliminary Questions
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Texas Rules of Evidence / Rule 104

## Text

RULE 104. Preliminary Questions

7

(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 in a criminal case;

(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 outside the jury’s
hearing 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

- [Tex. R. Evid. 101 Rule 101. Title, Scope, and Applicability of the Rules; Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R101.md)
- [Tex. R. Evid. 102 Rule 102. Purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R102.md)
- [Tex. R. Evid. 103 Rule 103. Rulings on Evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R103.md)
- [Tex. R. Evid. 104 Rule 104. Preliminary Questions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R104.md)
- [Tex. R. Evid. 105 Rule 105. Evidence That Is Not Admissible Against Other Parties or for Other Purposes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R105.md)
- [Tex. R. Evid. 106 Rule 106. Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded Statements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R106.md)
- [Tex. R. Evid. 107 Rule 107. Rule of Optional Completeness](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R107.md)
- [Tex. R. Evid. 201 Rule 201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R201.md)
- [Tex. R. Evid. 202 Rule 202. Judicial Notice of Other States’ Law](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R202.md)
- [Tex. R. Evid. 203 Rule 203. Determining Foreign Law](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R203.md)
- [Tex. R. Evid. 204 Rule 204. Judicial Notice of Texas Municipal and County Ordinances, Texas Register](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R204.md)
- [Tex. R. Evid. 401 Rule 401. Test for Relevant Evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R401.md)
- [Tex. R. Evid. 402 Rule 402. General Admissibility of Relevant Evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R402.md)
- [Tex. R. Evid. 403 Rule 403. Excluding Relevant Evidence for Prejudice, Confusion, or Other Reasons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R403.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_EVIDENCE_R104. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.