hearsay rule

American  

noun

Law.

1. the rule making hearsay evidence inadmissible.

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Example Sentences

It is not clear whether such notes would be admissible at trial under the so-called hearsay rule.

From New York Times • Sep. 15, 2021

The D.C. justices applied the hearsay rule more strictly than the judges had in the Maryland courts and disallowed much of the favorable testimony used in Ned’s case.

From Washington Post • Aug. 19, 2016

But Daniel Bibb, a former Manhattan prosecutor, said the account she gave to doctors would probably be barred from evidence under the hearsay rule, which prohibits most statements made out of court.

From Reuters • Aug. 18, 2011

Prosecutors say it should be allowed as an exclusion to the hearsay rule because Anderson is making statements against his own interest.

From New York Times • Feb. 12, 2011

There is no difficulty in understanding the principle on which this exception from the hearsay rule rests, but there is often practical difficulty in applying it, and the practice has varied.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 1 "Evangelical Church Conference" to "Fairbairn, Sir William" by Various