What is the rule against hearsay?

In Washington State, the rule against hearsay is a part of the military law implementation. Hearsay is defined as an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. This means that a statement by an individual that is not actually present at the trial cannot be used as evidence in court. The main reason for this rule is to prevent mistrials which can occur if the jurors are swayed by hearsay, as it is not always reliable and is often not subjected to the same level of scrutiny as other forms of evidence. The courts want to make sure that jurors are getting the best and most reliable information possible, so hearsay is generally not admissible and will be barred from the trial. The hearsay rule is designed to protect the rights of those accused of crimes and to ensure that only reliable information is presented to the court. The military justice system relies on an adversarial system of justice which means that both sides have an opportunity to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses. If hearsay is not excluded, it can lead to an unbalanced trial and could result in a wrongful conviction.

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