What kinds of official public records are admissible under Rule 803(8)?

• A. Records of public offices or agencies, including activities, factual findings, and opinions contained in such records, with some exceptions.
• B. Only activities.
• C. Only factual findings.
• D. Opinions only.

Answer: (A)

Public records and reports from official public offices are admissible under Rule 803(8) to prove what the office did, what it observed in carrying out its duties, and the factual findings it reached from an investigation, with any necessary trustworthiness caveats. These records may also contain opinions that appear in the official record, as long as the information is trustworthy. They are admitted subject to exceptions—specifically when the sources of information or other circumstances indicate a lack of trustworthiness. This broad scope is why the best answer includes activities, factual findings, and opinions contained in such records, with some exceptions. The other options are too narrow because they restrict admissible content to only one type, omitting the others that Rule 803(8) actually covers.