What are the rules for hearsay evidence in criminal trials?

Hearsay evidence is testimony or documents presented in court that were not obtained directly from a witness. In criminal trials in Arizona, hearsay evidence is generally not allowed by the court. This is because hearsay evidence is considered unreliable since it is not coming from the person who experienced or heard the information. In some states, there are exceptions to this rule when the hearsay evidence is deemed “reliable” or is necessary to prove the guilt of the accused. In Arizona, the rule of thumb is that if the source of the evidence is not present in court, it is not admissible. There are three commonly accepted exceptions to the hearsay rule in Arizona criminal law. First is a statement that is made by a witness in the presence of the accused that shows the accused’s guilt. Second is if a witness testifies that the defendant made a statement against their own interests. Third is if a witness testifies that another person confessed to the crime. Furthermore, there are specific rules that govern the admission of expert testimony in criminal trials in Arizona, such as that the expert must be employed by the state, must have reliable evidence to support their testimony, and must adequately explain their findings. This is important as an expert’s testimony can sometimes be considered hearsay. In summary, while hearsay evidence is generally not allowed in criminal trials in Arizona, there are a few exceptions. Furthermore, there are rules regarding the admission of expert testimony that must be followed.

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What are the rules for hearsay evidence in criminal trials?

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