Hearsay

Hearsay testimony is secondhand evidence; in hearsay, witnesses talk not about what they know personally, but about what they have been told by other persons. For instance, if a defendant is charged with uttering certain words, witnesses are permitted to testify that they heard the defendant speak the words. Subject to the many exceptions to the rule, witnesses may not pass on information of which they are personally unaware.

As it is applied to schools, there are times when educators may overhear statements and charges being made by students, colleagues, or others. School personnel and administrators may also learn that students or groups of students have made threats against classmates or school personnel. In such cases, educators must exercise discretion while rendering sound and legally defensible ...