The Excited Utterance is an exception to the hearsay rule for statements made during what type of event?

The Excited Utterance is an exception to the hearsay rule for statements made during what type of event?

• A. Hearsay cannot be admitted under any circumstance
• B. A statement made during a shocking event may be admitted as evidence
• C. Only written statements are admissible
• D. There is no exception to hearsay rule

Answer: (B)

An excited utterance is admitted as a hearsay exception when a statement is made during or immediately after a shocking or exciting event, while the declarant is still under the stress of the moment. The idea is that in the heat of the event there isn’t time for careful fabrication, so the remark is more likely to reflect what actually happened. This spontaneity and lack of opportunity to reflect make the statement more trustworthy for describing the event, which is why it’s allowed as evidence even though hearsay rules normally exclude out-of-court statements. So, a statement made during a shocking event may be admitted as evidence because the excitement of the moment supports reliability. The other options misstate the rule: there are exceptions to hearsay, written statements aren’t the only admissible form, and it’s not true that there’s no exception at all.

An excited utterance is admitted as a hearsay exception when a statement is made during or immediately after a shocking or exciting event, while the declarant is still under the stress of the moment. The idea is that in the heat of the event there isn’t time for careful fabrication, so the remark is more likely to reflect what actually happened. This spontaneity and lack of opportunity to reflect make the statement more trustworthy for describing the event, which is why it’s allowed as evidence even though hearsay rules normally exclude out-of-court statements.

So, a statement made during a shocking event may be admitted as evidence because the excitement of the moment supports reliability. The other options misstate the rule: there are exceptions to hearsay, written statements aren’t the only admissible form, and it’s not true that there’s no exception at all.