What is hearsay, and why is it typically inadmissible?

• A. An out-of-court statement offered for truth; it's unreliable unless an exception applies
• B. A statement made by a party inside the courtroom
• C. A type of physical evidence
• D. An eyewitness account only

Answer: (A)

Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered for the truth of what it asserts. It’s typically inadmissible because that kind of statement hasn’t been tested by the courtroom process: the speaker isn’t cross-examined, their memory and credibility can’t be challenged, and the reliability of the statement can’t be verified. The rule is about ensuring evidence is trustworthy, which is why courts usually exclude hearsay unless a recognized exception or exclusion applies. For example, statements from a business record or a dying declaration can be admitted under specific rules, but without such an exception, the statement would be excluded. The other options describe things that aren’t hearsay or don’t capture the requirement that the statement was made outside the courtroom for the truth of its content.