Which is a hearsay exception for statements made spontaneously or while excited?

Which is a hearsay exception for statements made spontaneously or while excited?

• A. Dying Declarations
• B. Confessions
• C. Spontaneous/Excited Utterance
• D. Former Testimony

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that statements made right after a startling event—while the person is still propelled by the shock or excitement—are treated as trustworthy enough to admit, even though they’re hearsay. This is the excited utterance (often called spontaneous utterance) exception. Because the declarant is still under the immediate influence of the event, there’s less opportunity for reflection or fabrication, and the statement is typically about the event itself. So when someone speaks immediately after something shocking and their words relate to that event, courts frequently allow the statement as an exception to the hearsay rule. That’s why this option fits: it specifically covers statements made spontaneously or while excited about the event. In contrast, dying declarations require the declarant to believe they are facing imminent death and speak about the cause or circumstances under that belief; confessions are self-incriminating statements often addressed in custodial settings and under voluntariness concerns; former testimony involves statements given in earlier proceedings and offered for the truth of the matter.

The key idea is that statements made right after a startling event—while the person is still propelled by the shock or excitement—are treated as trustworthy enough to admit, even though they’re hearsay. This is the excited utterance (often called spontaneous utterance) exception. Because the declarant is still under the immediate influence of the event, there’s less opportunity for reflection or fabrication, and the statement is typically about the event itself. So when someone speaks immediately after something shocking and their words relate to that event, courts frequently allow the statement as an exception to the hearsay rule.

That’s why this option fits: it specifically covers statements made spontaneously or while excited about the event. In contrast, dying declarations require the declarant to believe they are facing imminent death and speak about the cause or circumstances under that belief; confessions are self-incriminating statements often addressed in custodial settings and under voluntariness concerns; former testimony involves statements given in earlier proceedings and offered for the truth of the matter.