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Keywords

evidence, Federal Rules of Evidence, hearsay, exception, present sense impression, res gestae, corroboration

Abstract

This Note presents an overview of the hearsay rule and its general historical development, as well as background on the history of the res gestae doctrine to provide a clearer understanding of the Federal Rules discussed. It examines the current analysis of the three Rule 803 hearsay exceptions, and compares the requirements of external corroboration of hearsay statements under each of Rules 803(1), (2) and (3) to illustrate some inconsistencies in the application of these rules. The author concludes that it is essential that a concise and historically consistent method of applying the present sense impression exception be used, and suggests an approach that harmonizes Federal Rules 803(1), (2) and (3), without adding an additional requirement of corroboration.

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Evidence Commons

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