What are the rules for hearsay evidence in criminal cases?

Hearsay evidence is any out-of-court statement made by a person not present in court during a trial. In criminal cases, hearsay evidence is generally considered to be unreliable and is therefore not allowed in court. In Kansas, hearsay evidence is generally inadmissible in criminal trials. According to Kansas Statutes Chapter 60-460, hearsay statements are prohibited from being used as evidence, unless they fit under a specific exception. These exceptions include statements made for medical treatment or diagnosis, statements made to a law enforcement officer, and statement made in an emergency situation. Any witnesses that are called to testify in a criminal trial in Kansas cannot repeat anything that someone else has said about the crime in question unless it meets one of the exceptions listed above. In addition, if the witness heard the statement themselves, they must be present in court to testify to be heard. Hearsay evidence is generally unreliable due to its lack of veracity. Without being able to question the person that made the statement, it is impossible to tell if it is true. This is why hearsay evidence is inadmissible in the majority of criminal cases in Kansas.

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