Tex. R. Evid. 612 · Article VI. WITNESSES
Writing Used to Refresh a Witness’s Memory
Text — Effective July 2, 2026
(a) Scope. This rule gives an adverse party certain options when a witness uses a writing to refresh memory:
(1) while testifying;
(2) before testifying, in civil cases, if the court decides that justice requires the party to have those options; or
(3) before testifying, in criminal cases.
(b) Adverse Party’s Options; Deleting Unrelated Matter. An adverse party is entitled to have the writing produced at the hearing, to inspect it, to cross-examine the witness about it, and to introduce in evidence any portion that relates to the witness’s testimony. If the producing party claims that the writing includes unrelated matter, the court must examine the writing in camera, delete any unrelated portion, and order that the rest be delivered to the adverse party. Any portion deleted over objection must be preserved for the record.
(c) Failure to Produce or Deliver the Writing. If a writing is not produced or is not delivered as ordered, the court may issue any appropriate order. But if the prosecution does not comply in a criminal case, the court must strike the witness’s testimony or—if justice so requires—declare a mistrial.
Source of truth
- Edition
- Effective July 2, 2026
- Official file
- https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1463074/texas-rules-of-evidence-updated-with-amendments-effective-07022026.pdf (PDF pages 39–40)
- Text hash
- sha256 6d0b154b471b6b5c5666086e35710a9516b87a96f4c9419cdc5485ee8a16a80a
- Composed by
- compose_tx_rules.py 2026-10-05: two PDF extractors agree character for character after the same chrome removal
Procedural information only. Not legal advice and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Confirm the current text with the official publisher before relying on it.