Which term refers to an out-of-court statement offered as truth of the matter asserted?

Which term refers to an out-of-court statement offered as truth of the matter asserted?

• A. Testimony
• B. Evidence
• C. Affidavit
• D. Hearsay

Answer: (D)

Hearsay is the idea that a statement made outside the courtroom is offered to prove the truth of what it asserts. This matters because the person who made the statement isn’t testifying in this proceeding, so its reliability and context can’t be directly challenged through cross-examination. Hearsay can involve spoken remarks or written communications, like what someone told a witness, a letter, or a voicemail, that is offered to prove the content is true. Testimony refers to what a witness says in court under oath, which happens inside the proceedings. Evidence is a broad category that includes many items used to prove facts, and not all evidence is hearsay. An affidavit is a sworn written statement made outside the court; it can be hearsay if offered for the truth of its contents, though it may be admissible under certain rules or exceptions. The term that specifically designates an out-of-court statement offered for truth is hearsay.

Hearsay is the idea that a statement made outside the courtroom is offered to prove the truth of what it asserts. This matters because the person who made the statement isn’t testifying in this proceeding, so its reliability and context can’t be directly challenged through cross-examination. Hearsay can involve spoken remarks or written communications, like what someone told a witness, a letter, or a voicemail, that is offered to prove the content is true.

Testimony refers to what a witness says in court under oath, which happens inside the proceedings. Evidence is a broad category that includes many items used to prove facts, and not all evidence is hearsay. An affidavit is a sworn written statement made outside the court; it can be hearsay if offered for the truth of its contents, though it may be admissible under certain rules or exceptions. The term that specifically designates an out-of-court statement offered for truth is hearsay.