Section I · General Provisions
Rule 103. Rulings on evidence
2024 Manual for Courts-Martial, United States
Recent revisions Summary of changes Cited by (3)(a) Preserving a Claim of Error. A party may claim error in a ruling to admit or exclude evidence only if the error materially prejudices a substantial right of the party and:
(1) if the ruling admits evidence, a party, on the record:
(A) timely objects or moves to strike; and
(B) states the specific ground, unless it was apparent from the context; or
(2) if the ruling excludes evidence, a party informs the military judge of its substance by an offer of proof, unless the substance was apparent from the context.
(b) Not Needing to Renew an Objection or Offer of Proof. Once the military judge rules definitively on the record admitting or excluding evidence, either before or at trial, a party need not renew an objection or offer of proof to preserve a claim of error for appeal.
(c) Review of Constitutional Error. The standard provided in subdivision (a)(2) does not apply to errors implicating the United States Constitution as it applies to members of the Armed Forces, unless the error arises under these rules and subdivision (a)(2) provides a standard that is more advantageous to the accused than the constitutional standard.
(d) Military Judge's Statement about the Ruling; Directing an Offer of Proof. The military judge may make any statement about the character or form of the evidence, the objection made, and the ruling. The military judge may direct that an offer of proof be made in question-and-answer form.
(e) Preventing the Members from Hearing Inadmissible Evidence. In a court-martial composed of a military judge and members, to the extent practicable, the military judge must conduct a trial so that inadmissible evidence is not suggested to the members by any means.
(f) Taking Notice of Plain Error. A military judge may take notice of a plain error that materially prejudices a substantial right, even if the claim of error was not properly preserved.
Cross-referencesCited by 3
Cited by
Provisions elsewhere in the Manual whose text cites Rule 103. Each link opens the citing provision.
Rules for Courts-Martial
Discussion under R.C.M. 801(e)(1)(C) — Military judge’s responsibilities; other matters
…without members are appropriate for interlocutory questions, questions of law, and instructions. See also Mil. R. Evid. 103, 304, 311, 321. Such sessions should be used to the extent possible consistent with the orderly, expeditious progress of…
Discussion under R.C.M. 905(b)(3) — Motions generally
…on other grounds may be raised by objection at trial or by motions in limine. See R.C.M. 906(b)(13), Mil. R. Evid. 103, 104(a) and (c).
Discussion under R.C.M. 913(c)(4) — Presentation of the case on the merits
…to try the case and present the evidence without unnecessary interference by the military judge. See also Mil. R. Evid. 103.