You may have heard the word “hearsay” used in connection with the law. Hearsay is an out of court statement which is used to prove the truth of the matter being asserted. For example, if I tell you what someone else told me and represent that what I’m telling you that someone told me is the truth, then my statement to you is hearsay.
As a general rule, hearsay is not admissible in court to prove the truth of the statement in question. Due process of law and the Rules of Evidence provide that you have a right to confront your accusers. There are notable exceptions to the hearsay rule. For example, if a person robbed a bank and bragged about it to a friend, the friend’s testimony that the bank robber admitted he robbed the bank is admissible as an admission against interest, even though it is hearsay. Certain business records are admissible, even though they are hearsay.
