Legal Definitions - F.R.D.

F.R.D. stands for Federal Rules Decisions.

It is a specialized series of legal publications that compiles and reports decisions from federal courts across the United States. These decisions are particularly significant because they interpret or apply the specific rules that govern how cases are conducted in federal courts, including the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, and the Federal Rules of Evidence. Beyond court opinions, F.R.D. also includes important updates to these rules, records of ceremonial events within federal courts, and scholarly articles that offer insights into federal court practice and procedure.

• Example 1: Researching Discovery Standards

  A corporate attorney is preparing for a large civil lawsuit in federal court and needs to understand how judges have recently interpreted a specific aspect of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure concerning electronic discovery. By consulting Federal Rules Decisions, the attorney can find reported cases where federal judges have issued rulings on similar discovery disputes, providing valuable precedent on the scope and limitations of what must be produced.

  This example illustrates F.R.D.'s role in providing judicial interpretations of federal procedural rules, specifically in the context of civil litigation and discovery.

• Example 2: Analyzing Evidence Admissibility

  During a federal criminal trial, the prosecution seeks to introduce a controversial piece of scientific evidence. The defense attorney challenges its admissibility, arguing it doesn't meet the standards set by the Federal Rules of Evidence. Both the attorneys and the judge might refer to Federal Rules Decisions to find prior rulings from other federal courts that have grappled with similar types of evidence, helping them determine whether it should be allowed in the current trial.

  This example demonstrates how F.R.D. serves as a resource for understanding the application of the Federal Rules of Evidence in criminal proceedings, particularly regarding the admissibility of complex evidence.

• Example 3: Understanding Rule Amendments

  A law professor is writing an article about a recent amendment to the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, which changed the timeline for filing certain appeals. To understand the practical impact and initial judicial reactions to this change, the professor consults Federal Rules Decisions. Here, they might find not only the text of the rule change itself but also early court decisions applying the new rule, or even an analytical article discussing its implications for appellate practice.

  This example highlights F.R.D.'s broader content, including rule changes and scholarly articles, which provide context and analysis for evolving federal court procedures.