What is "Hearsay"?

Hearsay refers to information or statements made by a witness that are based not on their own direct observations but rather on what they have been told by others. This means that the witness is relaying second-hand information, which cannot be verified through firsthand experience. In legal proceedings, hearsay is generally inadmissible as evidence because the original source of the information cannot be cross-examined, increasing the potential for inaccuracies.

Understanding hearsay is crucial in the legal context, as it serves to protect the integrity of evidence presented in court. Ensuring that statements are based on direct witness accounts helps maintain reliability and accountability in testimony. Other options describe forms of evidence that are either direct observations, confidential communications, or well-documented proof, but they do not encapsulate the specific legal definition and implications of hearsay, which is fundamentally about the transmission of information without direct experience.