Hearsay, arguably the most complex rule of evidence, governs the admissibility of second-hand statements before the trier of fact. In addition to its evidentiary effect, hearsay also has a dramatic impact in court. For some reason, jurors seem to pay more attention when a lawyer objects based on hearsay. Jurors seem especially interested in knowing what the hearsay statements are that they are being precluded from hearing.
The definition of hearsay is well known. It is a falsifiable statement of fact made out of court that is offered by the testifying witness to prove the truth of the matter asserted in the statement.
