Hearsay in the Courtroom

In the event that your case cannot be settled outside of the courtroom, it will be tried in front of a judge. When this happens, each side may present evidence and witnesses that support their case. While a vast array of evidence is allowed in the courtroom, there is some that is not. Hearsay evidence is not.

If you or someone you know has been injured and believe that another party is to blame, you will need legal representation to receive the compensation you deserve. Contact the Cincinnati personal injury attorney Shawn M. Stepleton to discuss the details of your case. Call 513-321-7733 today to schedule a free consultation.

What is Hearsay?

Hearsay is a statement that is made outside of the courtroom to a party who was not actually present at the event in question. For example, if Person A is speaking with a friend about an accident, and the friend says, “oh yeah, the red car hit the blue one.” Although this information may be true, Person A cannot use this evidence in court, because they were not actually present to witness the red car hitting the blue car. They may say, however, “My friend said the red car hit the blue one.”

Why isn’t Hearsay Allowed?

Hearsay is prohibited in the courtroom for a number of reasons. First, the statement is made outside of the courtroom, and the jury cannot observe the person’s demeanor when the statement is delivered. Additionally, statements made outside of the courtroom cannot be cross-examined, which is an integral part of discovering the whole picture. This may affect the jury’s ability to judge the claimant’s credibility.

There are some cases when hearsay may be allowed, but they are rare exceptions to the rule.

Contact a Cincinnati Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been involved in an accident, or have questions regarding personal injury law, contact the Cincinnati personal injury attorney Shawn M. Stepleton today at 513-321-7733.