Under Lack of Personal Knowledge (Rule 602(A)), what is required before a witness may testify to a matter?

Under Lack of Personal Knowledge (Rule 602(A)), what is required before a witness may testify to a matter?

• A. A witness may testify to a matter or exhibit without any evidence of personal knowledge.
• B. The witness must have personal knowledge attained through credentials.
• C. A witness may not testify to a matter or exhibit unless evidence is introduced sufficient to support a finding that they have personal knowledge of the matter.
• D. Personal knowledge is assumed for all lay witnesses.

Answer: (C)

Before a witness may testify about a matter, there must be evidence showing they have personal knowledge of that matter. Personal knowledge means the witness actually perceived or otherwise learned the information through their own senses or direct experience, not simply repeating what others told them. This requirement protects the reliability of testimony by ensuring the witness speaks from firsthand information. The best answer states that a witness may not testify to a matter or exhibit unless evidence is introduced sufficient to support a finding that they have personal knowledge of the matter. That aligns with Rule 602: testimony must be grounded in the witness’s own knowledge, which can come from their own observations or experiences. Why the other ideas don’t fit: testifying without any evidence of personal knowledge would undermine the rule’s safeguard. Requiring knowledge only through credentials would miss the broader ways personal knowledge can arise (observation, perception, or direct experience) and could exclude legitimate firsthand knowledge. Assuming personal knowledge for all lay witnesses is incorrect because a witness must demonstrate personal knowledge; it is not automatic.

Before a witness may testify about a matter, there must be evidence showing they have personal knowledge of that matter. Personal knowledge means the witness actually perceived or otherwise learned the information through their own senses or direct experience, not simply repeating what others told them. This requirement protects the reliability of testimony by ensuring the witness speaks from firsthand information.

The best answer states that a witness may not testify to a matter or exhibit unless evidence is introduced sufficient to support a finding that they have personal knowledge of the matter. That aligns with Rule 602: testimony must be grounded in the witness’s own knowledge, which can come from their own observations or experiences.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: testifying without any evidence of personal knowledge would undermine the rule’s safeguard. Requiring knowledge only through credentials would miss the broader ways personal knowledge can arise (observation, perception, or direct experience) and could exclude legitimate firsthand knowledge. Assuming personal knowledge for all lay witnesses is incorrect because a witness must demonstrate personal knowledge; it is not automatic.