801 Definitions

This rule explains some basic terms used when courts talk about hearsay. A "statement" can be something a person says out loud, writes down, or even shows through actions, as long as they meant to communicate something by it. For example, if someone nods their head to answer "yes" to a question, that nod counts as a statement.

A "declarant" is simply the person who made the statement. This could be a witness, or it could be someone who isn't even in the courtroom.

"Hearsay" is when someone repeats a statement that was made outside of the current trial or hearing, and they're using it to prove that what the statement said is true. For example, if a witness says "My neighbor told me she saw the car speeding," and the lawyer wants to use that to prove the car really was speeding, that's hearsay. The rule matters because hearsay often can't be used as evidence, since the original person who made the statement isn't there to be questioned about it.