What Object is Hearsay?
Have you ever watched a courtroom drama on television and heard an attorney jump from his seat and scream out �Objection, that’s hearsay!�? It’s a common scene in these types of shows, but what exactly is hearsay? Technically, it’s an out-of-court statement being offered for the truth of the matter. During trial, the judge will have to decide whether the witness can or cannot answer the question.
Hearsay is defined as an out-of-court statement offered in court as evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. It is not considered to be reliable evidence and is generally not admissible in court. The reason for this is that it is impossible to cross-examine the person who made the statement, so the statement cannot be verified.
Hearsay can come in many forms, including written documents, oral statements, or even gestures. For example, if a witness testifies that they heard someone say something, that is considered hearsay. Similarly, if a witness testifies that they saw someone do something, that is also considered hearsay.
In some cases, hearsay may be allowed as evidence if it meets certain criteria. This is known as an exception to the hearsay rule. For example, if the statement is made by a person who is unavailable to testify, such as a deceased person, it may be allowed as evidence. Additionally, if the statement is made in a business setting, such as a police report, it may also be allowed as evidence.
It is important to note that hearsay is not considered reliable evidence and should not be relied upon to prove a point. In fact, many courts will not allow hearsay as evidence unless it meets certain criteria. Therefore, it is important to understand what hearsay is and how it can be used in court.
In conclusion, hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered in court as evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. It is not considered to be reliable evidence and is generally not admissible in court. However, in some cases, hearsay may be allowed as evidence if it meets certain criteria. Therefore, it is important to understand what hearsay is and how it can be used in court.