Although sparse United States Supreme Court dicta and precedent suggest that nonconstitutional privilege rules may have to yield to a criminal defendant's federal constitutional rights, except for the specific and rare circumstances in which the Court has said or suggested that must happen, it is unknown when such privilege rules must yield to a criminal defendant's constitutional rights such as the right to due process and the right to present a defense.

Contributed in 2008 & last edited in 2009 by Peter Tillers
You've come to a rule . Check out the authorities below. When you find one you like, add it to your SpinDoc. more...
Please sign in or sign up to see the authorities.
Contribution Suggestions
vouch for authority for rule...
Rule 1004(1) allows the admission of secondary evidence in case of nonfraudulent loss or destruction of an "original".
vouch for authority for rule...
Nonverbal conduct that is intended to be an assertion constitutes a "statement" under Federal Rule of Evidence 801(a) and therefore assertive...
vouch for authority for rule...
A person can be qualified to serve as a witness -- a person can be a competent witness -- even if he or she does not understand or appreciate the...