Important Legal Definitions
Explore legal terms, clear definitions and practical examples.
Hearsay Evidence
Evidentiary Rules & Proof Standards
Definition
Out-of-court statements reported by a witness who did not personally perceive the event, introduced to prove the truth of the matter asserted; generally inadmissible because the original speaker is not under oath or subject to cross-examination.
Example
A neighbor testifies in a theft trial: "A tea vendor told me that he saw the accused scaling the school gate." The testimony is rejected as inadmissible hearsay evidence.