What is hearsay evidence?

Hearsay evidence is defined as testimony from a witness who recounts an out-of-court statement made by someone else, which is introduced to prove the truth of the matter asserted in that statement. This type of evidence is generally considered unreliable because it does not allow for cross-examination of the original speaker and may lack the necessary foundation for assessing its accuracy. In legal contexts, hearsay is often inadmissible unless it falls under certain exceptions.

The other options represent different types of evidence that do not encompass the definition of hearsay. Evidence based on personal knowledge is not hearsay, as it originates from the witness's own experiences. Documents directly admissible in court refer to records that do not rely on someone else's statements, while physical evidence refers to tangible items collected from a crime scene, which can provide direct proof of facts. Thus, the only option that correctly identifies hearsay is testimony from a witness reciting an out-of-court statement.