hearsay rule

American  

noun

Law.

1. the rule making hearsay evidence inadmissible.

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Example Sentences

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

But prosecutors could try to use the conversations against Mr. Gupta under what is known as the co-conspirator exception to the hearsay rule.

From New York Times • Apr. 25, 2011

But the judge allowed the testimony, saying that it fit in the “excited utterance” exception to the hearsay rule, which essentially allows a statement that was blurted out in the heat of the moment.

From New York Times • Aug. 20, 2010

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