A criminal charge can have long-term consequences for the convict’s life. They will face the consequences even after serving time for a particular offense. Society tends to reject ex-convicts and never offers them a second chance. Not everyone deserves to be rejected like that. People should offer second chances to convicts.
Like this, there are many more consequences to being a convict. One problem is that you could be convicted even if you didn’t commit any crimes. Yes, false accusations are a real threat. In fact, 1 out of every 20 cases has a wrongful conviction. If you have been falsely accused of a crime, get help from a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
In criminal law, the prosecutors bear the burden of proof. They must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime. To do this, they will use many strategies and evidence throughout the process. One of the types of evidence is hearsay.
What is Hearsay Evidence?
Hearsay evidence is one of the most notorious, complex, confusing, and often disputed rules in both civil and criminal cases. Hearsay evidence is an out-of-court statement made by someone other than the witness testifying in court. Simply put, hearsay evidence is information that the witness learned from someone else rather than experiencing it personally.
Example:
Say, Jacob, a thief, robbed a gas station and got caught. He is on trial now for robbery, and prosecutors are submitting evidence against him. Pamela is testifying as a witness in court. She says her friend Jason saw Jacob robbing the gas station. This information is considered hearsay evidence. Now this statement cannot be cross verified since the original witness is not present in the courtroom.
Is Hearsay Evidence Admissible in Court?
Hearsay evidence is not admissible in court. The evidence produced in court should be reliable and trustworthy. The point of submitting evidence is to prove the person committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Hearsay evidence is neither trustworthy nor reliable. You can never know the truth behind hearsay evidence since the person who actually witnessed it is not present to support their claim.
Exceptions to the Hearsay Rule
Hearsay evidence has some exceptions. In some cases, the court may allow hearsay evidence to be submitted under special circumstances. The following are some of the common exceptions to the hearsay rule:
- Present Sense Impression
- Excited Utterance
- Statements Against Interest
- Dying Declaration
- Business Records
- Prior Inconsistent Statements
Note that these exceptions will change depending on the jurisdiction. Every state has its own policy when it comes to hearsay evidence. This is why you should consider hiring a local lawyer to defend you.
Final Thoughts
Hearsay evidence is a very complex aspect of criminal cases. Not fully understanding hearsay evidence can hurt your case. Consult an experienced criminal defense lawyer to defend you and get you off the hook. The lawyer will guide you through the criminal case process and help you prove your innocence. Hiring a lawyer is the first step toward becoming a free person.
