How is hearsay defined?

How is hearsay defined?

• A. A statement made in court to prove its truth
• B. A statement given outside the courtroom to prove the matter asserted
• C. A nonverbal cue
• D. A statement made to the judge about the weather

Answer: (B)

Hearsay is a statement made outside the current court proceeding that is offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. The best answer matches this by pointing to a statement given outside the courtroom and used to prove what it asserts. In contrast, something said in court is not hearsay, a nonverbal cue isn’t a statement (unless it’s clearly intended as an assertion), and a statement made to the judge in court about the weather isn’t hearsay because it occurs inside the courtroom and isn’t offered to prove a matter asserted from outside.

Hearsay is a statement made outside the current court proceeding that is offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. The best answer matches this by pointing to a statement given outside the courtroom and used to prove what it asserts. In contrast, something said in court is not hearsay, a nonverbal cue isn’t a statement (unless it’s clearly intended as an assertion), and a statement made to the judge in court about the weather isn’t hearsay because it occurs inside the courtroom and isn’t offered to prove a matter asserted from outside.