The Hearsay Rule

The hearsay rule is the most difficult part of every Evidence course and, for many, the most difficult rule of evidence to understand and apply in the practice of law. Fenner offers basic instruction on hearsay, his Top Ten ways of looking at hearsay, flow charts, and chapters on the generally known exceptions in the hearsay rule. Different from other works, The Hearsay Rule includes "secret" ways around the bar of the hearsay rule: using opinion evidence, the rule of completeness, and judicial notice, for example. It also includes a chapter on using hearsay to admit evidence from a witness who is incompetent to testify, one on the Confrontation Clause, and much more. The Hearsay Rule includes commentary that simplifies various ways the rules can be used to advance the student's or the advocate's goals and reveals many hearsay "secrets" not commonly addressed in other works.