SCRE 613

Subject to the provisions of S.C. Code Ann. §§ 19-1-80, 19-1-90 and 19-1-100:

(a) Examining Witness Concerning Prior Statement. In examining a witness concerning a prior

statement made by the witness, whether written or not, the statement need not be shown nor its

contents disclosed to the witness at that time, but on request the same shall be shown or disclosed to

opposing counsel.

(b) Extrinsic Evidence of Prior Inconsistent Statement of Witness. Extrinsic evidence of a prior

inconsistent statement by a witness is not admissible unless the witness is advised of the substance of

the statement, the time and place it was allegedly made, and the person to whom it was made, and is

given the opportunity to explain or deny the statement. If a witness does not admit that he has made

the prior inconsistent statement, extrinsic evidence of such statement is admissible. However, if a

witness admits making the prior statement, extrinsic evidence that the prior statement was made is

inadmissible. This provision does not apply to admissions of a party-opponent as defined in Rule

801(d)(2).

Note:

The language at the beginning of this rule was added to provide that the rule is

subject to the provisions of S.C. Code Ann. §§ 19-1-80 to -100 (1985) regarding written

statements made to public employees.

Subsection (a) is identical to the federal rule. This provision was included in the federal

rule to abolish the holding in The Queen's Case, 2 Br. & B. 284, 129 Eng. Rep. 976

(1820), that a witness must be shown a prior statement before being examined about

the statement. Although no South Carolina case has been found adopting the holding

in The Queen's Case, the language of the federal rule eliminating the requirement of

showing the witness the prior statement has been included in the South Carolina rule.

Subsection (b) of the federal rule was amended to provide that a proper foundation

must be laid before admitting a prior inconsistent statement. A witness must be

permitted to admit, deny, or explain a prior inconsistent statement. McMillan v. Ridges

, 229 S.C. 76, 91 S.E.2d 883 (1956). Extrinsic evidence of the statement is not

admissible unless the witness is advised of the substance of the statement, the time

and place it was allegedly made, and the person to whom it was made. State v.

Galloway, 263 S.C. 585, 211 S.E.2d 885 (1975). In addition, language was added to

subsection (b) to set forth the rule that if the witness admits making the prior

statement, the witness has been impeached and no further extrinsic evidence of the

statement, including the statement itself, is admissible. State v. Lynn, 277 S.C. 222, 284

S.E.2d 786 (1981); McMillan v. Ridges, supra.