JOLIET, Ill.JOLIET, Ill. — Prosecutors relied on normally barred secondhand hearsay statements to convict former Illinois police officer Drew Peterson of killing his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

Hearsay evidence refers to testimony offered in court based on what another person has said and offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Courts generally prohibit hearsay evidence due to ...

IF you’ve watched a courtroom drama, the chances are you’ll have heard a lawyer character shout “hearsay!” But what actually qualifies as “hearsay” in a legal context is more complicated than you ...

The United States Supreme Court recently amended Federal Rule of Evidence Rule 807, the residual exception to the hearsay rule. These amendments significantly broaden the scope of the exception, which ...

We collaborate with the world's leading lawyers to deliver news tailored for you. Sign Up for any (or all) of our 25+ Newsletters. Some states have laws and ethical rules regarding solicitation and ...

One issue on which there is neither an applicable rule nor settled law is whether expert reports are admissible at trial—not in lieu of, but in addition to, expert testimony. Courts have gone both ...

Hearsay statements are usually inadmissible unless an exception applies. Insurers can deny no-fault claims for material misrepresentations if they act promptly and provide strong evidence. They can ...

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Julian Burnside: As a word, hearsay is much used by lay people but not well understood. Colloquially it ...