Rule 51 — Preserving Claimed Error

Fed. R. Crim. P. 51

• Source: Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
• Rule: 51
• TITLE IX: GENERAL PROVISIONS
• Citation: Fed. R. Crim. P. 51

Text

(a) Exceptions Unnecessary. Exceptions to rulings or orders of
the court are unnecessary.
(b) Preserving a Claim of Error. A party may preserve a claim
of error by informing the court—when the court ruling or order is
made or sought—of the action the party wishes the court to take,
or the party’s objection to the court’s action and the grounds for
that objection. If a party does not have an opportunity to object
to a ruling or order, the absence of an objection does not later
prejudice that party. A ruling or order that admits or excludes
evidence is governed by Federal Rule of Evidence 103.
(As amended Mar. 9, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec.
1, 2002.)
. Harmless and Plain Error
(a) Harmless Error. Any error, defect, irregularity, or variance
that does not affect substantial rights must be disregarded.
(b) Plain Error. A plain error that affects substantial rights may
be considered even though it was not brought to the court’s atten-
tion.

Advisory Committee Notes

(As amended Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002.)