What is hearsay evidence?

Hearsay evidence is evidence that is reported second-hand or based on another person’s perception. In Virginia courts, this type of evidence is not admissible. This means that hearsay evidence can’t be used to prove the truth of something. For example, if someone said that they heard through a friend that someone was guilty of a crime, that information would not be allowed in court. Hearsay evidence is generally unreliable, so the court excludes it. This ensures that the court has access to direct testimony from those with firsthand knowledge of a situation. Though an individual may present hearsay evidence in support of their story, it’s not enough on its own to prove their case. The exception to this rule is if the court finds that a statement is reliable and not likely to be false. In this case, the court may find that the hearsay testimony is admissible to prove the truth of something. However, this is rare, and in most cases, any form of hearsay is not allowed in court.

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