§ Rule 5.104. Preliminary questions

Codes > Iowa Rules of Evidence > Article I > Rule 5.104.

Rule 5.104. Preliminary questions

a. Questions of admissibility generally.Preliminary questions concerning the qualification of a person to be a witness, the existence of a privilege, or the admissibility of evidence shall be determined by the court, subject to the provisions of rule 5.104(b). In making its determination it is not bound by the rules of evidence except those with respect to privileges.

b. Relevancy conditioned on fact.When the relevancy of evidence depends upon the fulfillment of a condition of fact, the court shall admit it upon, or subject to, the introduction of evidence sufficient to support a finding of the fulfillment of the condition.

c. Hearing of jury.Hearings on the admissibility of confessions shall in all cases be conducted out of the hearing of the jury. Hearings on other preliminary matters shall be so conducted when the interests of justice require or, when an accused is a witness and so requests.

d. Testimony by accused.The accused does not, by testifying upon a preliminary matter, become subject to cross-examination as to other issues in the case. Testimony given by the accused upon a preliminary question is not admissible against the accused on the issue of guilt but maybe used for impeachment if inconsistent with testimony given by the accused at the trial.

e. Weight and credibility.This rule does not limit the right of a party to introduce before the jury evidence relevant to weight or credibility.