Answers to Exercises in Manual
7.5 (a)
The elements to the Hearsay Rule are:
1. In-court testimony
2. of an out-of-court statement
3. made by someone other than the in-court witness
4. offered to establish the truth of matters asserted.
5. In establishing hearsay, the question of credibility lies with the out-of-court asserter.
Exercise Answers: Applying the Hearsay Rule
7.5 (b)
- Is it hearsay: no
Is it admissible: yes
- Is it hearsay: yes
Is it admissible: yes, as a Business Entry
Note: most documents are hearsay, but are also often admissible under the Business Entry Exception
- Is it hearsay: yes
Is it admissible: yes, under Declaration of State of Mind
- Is it hearsay: no
Is it admissible: yes
Note: Hearsay is part of the Rules of Evidence, which apply to courts. Notice the first element: in-court testimony. This was not in-court, but was at an administrative hearing. The hearsay rule would not apply.
- Is it hearsay: yes
Is it admissible: yes, under Declaration Against Interest
- Is it hearsay: no
Is it admissible: yes
- Is it hearsay: yes
Is it admissible: yes, under Present Sense Impression, or possibly Excited Utterance
- Is it hearsay: no
Is it admissible: yes
Note: Only statements, verbal or written, are hearsay. Conduct is not. Jerking the steering wheel to the left was conduct.
- Is it hearsay: yes
Is it admissible: yes, under Dying Declaration, Present Sense Impression, or Excited Utterance
- Is it hearsay: yes
Is it admissible: yes, under Business Entry
- Is it hearsay: yes
Is it admissible: yes, under Exited Utterance or Declaration of Bodily Symptoms or Conditions
- Is it hearsay: no
Is it admissible: yes
Note: It's not in court!