Court Reporter Practice Exam

Which of the following is an example of hearsay?

1. A witness testify about their own experiences

2. Reports of someone else's statements or opinions

3. A court document verifying facts

4. Testimony based on personal observation

The correct answer is: Reports of someone else's statements or opinions

Hearsay is defined as an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. In this context, the correct choice illustrates this definition accurately. When reports of someone else's statements or opinions are presented, they are relaying information that was not made in the current court proceedings and is being introduced to support a claim or point being made. This kind of testimony is generally considered unreliable because the original speaker is not present in court to be cross-examined or to confirm the truth of their statements. In contrast, personal observations, firsthand experiences, and court documents that verify facts do not qualify as hearsay, as they involve direct testimony or evidence that can be substantiated and scrutinized in the courtroom.