What does Rule 602 require for a witness to testify about a matter?

What does Rule 602 require for a witness to testify about a matter?

• A. The witness must have personal knowledge; evidence to prove personal knowledge may come from sources other than the witness's own testimony.
• B. The witness must have personal knowledge and must testify to all facts with their own testimony.
• C. Personal knowledge is not required if the witness is an expert.
• D. Personal knowledge is always presumed.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that a witness may testify about a matter only if they have personal knowledge of it. Personal knowledge means the witness perceived or learned about the matter through their own senses or experience. Importantly, this knowledge can be shown by evidence other than the witness’s own testimony—documents, other witnesses, or other sources can establish that the witness has that basis for testifying. That’s why this option is the best. It states both requirements: the witness must have personal knowledge, and the fact that that knowledge can be proven by sources other than the witness’s own testimony. Why the others don’t fit: one option suggests the witness must testify to all facts with their own testimony, which isn’t required because other evidence can supply additional facts. Another option wrongly says personal knowledge isn’t required for experts, but Rule 602 applies generally to testimony about matters; while experts may rely on information from others, the witness still must have a valid basis for testifying about the matter. The final option claims personal knowledge is always presumed, which isn’t true—there must be some basis shown for testifying about the matter.

The main idea here is that a witness may testify about a matter only if they have personal knowledge of it. Personal knowledge means the witness perceived or learned about the matter through their own senses or experience. Importantly, this knowledge can be shown by evidence other than the witness’s own testimony—documents, other witnesses, or other sources can establish that the witness has that basis for testifying.

That’s why this option is the best. It states both requirements: the witness must have personal knowledge, and the fact that that knowledge can be proven by sources other than the witness’s own testimony.

Why the others don’t fit: one option suggests the witness must testify to all facts with their own testimony, which isn’t required because other evidence can supply additional facts. Another option wrongly says personal knowledge isn’t required for experts, but Rule 602 applies generally to testimony about matters; while experts may rely on information from others, the witness still must have a valid basis for testifying about the matter. The final option claims personal knowledge is always presumed, which isn’t true—there must be some basis shown for testifying about the matter.