Tex. R. Evid. 701 · Article VII. OPINIONS AND EXPERT TESTIMONY
Opinion Testimony by Lay Witnesses
Text — Effective July 2, 2026
If a witness is not testifying as an expert, testimony in the form of an opinion is limited to one that is:
(a) rationally based on the witness’s perception; and
(b) helpful to clearly understanding the witness’s testimony or to determining a fact in issue.
Notes and commentary — not rule text
Notes and Comments
Comment to 2015 Restyling: All references to an “inference” have been deleted because this makes the Rule flow better and easier to read, and because any “inference” is covered by the broader term “opinion.” Courts have not made substantive decisions on the basis of any distinction between an opinion and an inference. No change in current practice is intended.
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 43–44)
- Text hash
- sha256 eaf7e5734fa8e86307d435b3c1d67ca970eec4854cd82986f4f401ff4ce41d04
- 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.