Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) Practice Exam

What does hearsay refer to in a legal context?

1. A statement made by a witness that they do not have direct knowledge of

2. A legal term for direct evidence presented in court

3. A method of questioning witnesses

4. A type of evidence that is admissible without witnesses

The correct answer is: A statement made by a witness that they do not have direct knowledge of

Hearsay in a legal context refers to a statement made by a witness that they do not have direct knowledge of, meaning it is an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. This type of evidence is typically considered unreliable because it is not subject to cross-examination, which means the person making the statement is not in court to be questioned about the accuracy or reliability of their claims. As a result, hearsay is generally inadmissible in court unless it falls within certain exceptions provided by law. The other options do not accurately describe hearsay. Direct evidence refers to evidence that directly supports the truth of an assertion, and that is not the definition of hearsay. The concept of questioning witnesses pertains to the methods used during testimonies, which also does not describe hearsay. Lastly, hearsay cannot be classified as admissible evidence without witnesses since it is specifically related to statements made outside of the courtroom context.