What does hearsay refer to in a legal context?

Hearsay in a legal context refers to an out-of-court statement that is offered in court for the truth of the matter asserted. This means that if a witness attempts to relay what someone else said outside of court to prove that what was said is true, that statement is considered hearsay. The key characteristic of hearsay is that it is not coming directly from a person's personal knowledge or experience but rather from someone else's account, which raises concerns about reliability and the ability to challenge the statement's accuracy.

Understanding hearsay is critical because it affects the admissibility of evidence in court proceedings. Courts typically exclude hearsay to ensure that only reliable testimony is presented, as those who made the original statements cannot be cross-examined to verify their credibility. In contrast, the other options pertain to types of evidence or witness accounts that do not have the same implications in legal settings. Direct evidence presented in court represents firsthand knowledge, personal knowledge involves a witness's direct experience, and delayed testimony refers to the timing of when a statement is made but does not inherently address the issue of hearsay.