What is hearsay evidence?

Hearsay evidence is a type of evidence used in a court of law. Generally speaking, hearsay is any statement made by someone other than the speaker which is offered to prove the truth of the matter stated. It usually comes in the form of a statement made by a witness or someone who is not part of the court proceedings. For example, if an attorney tried to prove that a suspect committed a crime based on a statement that was made by someone who wasn’t present during the incident, that statement would be considered hearsay. It can be argued that hearsay does not have the same reliability as evidence which is based on firsthand accounts. The South Carolina Rules of Evidence forbid the admission of most types of hearsay evidence unless a party can prove that the statement is reliable and trustworthy. In some cases, the court may allow the admission of hearsay evidence if it is deemed relevant or necessary for determining the truth of a certain statement. However, it is up to the court to decide whether the hearsay evidence in question should be admitted.

Related FAQs

What are the rights of a defendant?
How do I file a motion for dismissal?
What is a motion for a change of venue?
How does a judge issue a ruling?
What is an order to show cause?
What is a plea deal?
What is a jury nullification?
How does a judge make a ruling?
What is the difference between a summons and a complaint?
What does it mean to appeal a conviction?

What is hearsay evidence?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts