Which statement best describes hearsay testimony?

Which statement best describes hearsay testimony?

• A. A statement given in court by a witness about observed facts.
• B. An out-of-court statement used to prove the truth of its contents.
• C. A physical object admitted as evidence.
• D. A sworn confession by a defendant.

Answer: (B)

Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of what it asserts. That means the statement didn’t come from the witness’s own observations in court, but from something someone said outside the court, and it’s being used to establish the content as true. The option describing a statement given in court by a witness is direct testimony about observed facts, which is information the witness is testifying to from their own experience or knowledge in court—not an out-of-court statement being offered to prove something’s truth. A physical object admitted as evidence is real or demonstrative evidence, not a statement offered for its truth. A sworn confession by a defendant is a statement made by a party; under many rules, it’s not hearsay and can be admitted for its truth as a party admission, rather than being treated as hearsay.

Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of what it asserts. That means the statement didn’t come from the witness’s own observations in court, but from something someone said outside the court, and it’s being used to establish the content as true.

The option describing a statement given in court by a witness is direct testimony about observed facts, which is information the witness is testifying to from their own experience or knowledge in court—not an out-of-court statement being offered to prove something’s truth. A physical object admitted as evidence is real or demonstrative evidence, not a statement offered for its truth. A sworn confession by a defendant is a statement made by a party; under many rules, it’s not hearsay and can be admitted for its truth as a party admission, rather than being treated as hearsay.