Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(1) 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 judge, subject to sub. (2) and ss. 971.31(11) and 972.11(2). In making the determination the judge is bound by the rules of evidence only with respect to privileges and as provided in s. 901.05.
(2) Relevancy conditioned on fact.When the relevancy of evidence depends upon the fulfillment of a condition of fact, the judge shall admit it upon, or subject to, the introduction of evidence sufficient to support a finding of the fulfillment of the condition.
(3) Hearing out of the presence of a jury.Hearings on any of the following shall be conducted out of the presence of the jury:
(a) Admissibility of confessions.
(b) In actions under s. 940.22, admissibility of evidence of the patient's or client's personal or medical history.
(c) In actions under s. 940.225, 948.02, 948.025, 948.051, 948.085, or 948.095, or under s. 940.302(2), if the court determines that the offense was sexually motivated, as defined in s. 980.01(5), admissibility of the prior sexual conduct or reputation of a complaining witness.
(cm) Admissibility of evidence specified in s. 972.11(2)(d).
(d) Any preliminary matter if the interests of justice so requires.
(4) Testimony by accused.The accused does not, by testifying upon a preliminary matter, subject himself or herself to cross-examination as to other issues in the case.
(5) Weight and credibility.This section does not limit the right of a party to introduce before the jury evidence relevant to weight or credibility.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Wisconsin Statutes Evidence (Ch. 901 to 937) § 901.04. Preliminary questions - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/wi/evidence-ch-901-to-937/wi-st-901-04/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)