hearsay evidence

American  

noun

Law.

1. testimony based on what a witness has heard from another person rather than on direct personal knowledge or experience.

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hearsay evidence British  

noun

1. law evidence based on what has been reported to a witness by others rather than what he has himself observed or experienced (not generally admissible as evidence)

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Etymology

Origin of hearsay evidence

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

More liberal rules allowing hearsay evidence allowed lawyers for the Brown and Goldman families to use excerpts from the Nicole’s diaries.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2024

A judge has ruled that hearsay evidence used in the prosecution of Soldier F over Bloody Sunday in 1972 can be used at his trial.

From BBC • Aug. 25, 2023

The judge is hearing from witnesses as he weighs what hearsay evidence can be used against the defendant, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, who is accused of plotting the bombing of the warship in Oct.

From New York Times • Apr. 28, 2023

He was released from prison after the California Supreme Court reversed the conviction in 1968, citing hearsay evidence that should not have been allowed at trial.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 24, 2022

Thus hearsay evidence is subject to all the imperfections of the original observer, in addition to the still more insidious imperfections of the second observer.

From Logic, Inductive and Deductive by Minto, William