Hearsay
Hearsay is an out-of-court statement by someone other than the testifying witness that is repeated or presented in court as evidence. It is usually inadmissible as direct evidence, though exceptions apply.
Hearsay is an out-of-court statement by someone other than the testifying witness that is repeated or presented in court as evidence. It is usually inadmissible as direct evidence, though exceptions apply.
Example: In Ryan Brannon’s 2021 certiorari petition, he described an officer at his 2020 Texas trial repeating a child’s statement that “he” did it, and identified it as hearsay.
Common misconception: It is incorrect to say hearsay is never allowed in court: it is usually inadmissible as direct evidence, but there are many exceptions.
Sources: Glossary of Legal Terms – United States Courts; Petition for a Writ of Certiorari, Brannon v. Texas