# Hearsay Analysis — Blank Template

For each contested out-of-court statement, run this analysis.

```
STATEMENT: [the statement, as offered]

DECLARANT: [who made the statement]

OFFERED BY: [which party]

PURPOSE OFFERED FOR:
  [ ] For the truth of the statement (potentially hearsay)
  [ ] For a non-hearsay purpose:
      [ ] To show the statement was made
      [ ] To show effect on the listener
      [ ] To show declarant's state of mind
      [ ] Operative words (contract, defamation, etc.)
      [ ] Other: _______________________

IF NON-HEARSAY: admissible for that purpose (may need limiting
instruction). END OF ANALYSIS.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

IF HEARSAY, continue:

TRADITIONAL EXCEPTION?
  [ ] Business records
  [ ] Public records
  [ ] Present intention
  [ ] Against interest
  [ ] Dying declaration
  [ ] Prior judicial proceeding
  [ ] Res gestae / spontaneous
  [ ] Bodily or mental state
  [ ] Ancient documents
  [ ] Party admission (not really hearsay)
  [ ] None

──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

PRINCIPLED APPROACH ANALYSIS

NECESSITY
  Is the declarant available?     [Y/N]
  Would cross-examination be futile?  [Y/N]
  Necessity established?          [Y/N]
  Reason: _______________________________________________

RELIABILITY

  Procedural reliability factors:
    [ ] Made under oath
    [ ] Video-recorded
    [ ] Contemporaneous
    [ ] Opportunity for prior cross-examination
    [ ] Declarant available for cross on the statement's making

  Substantive reliability factors:
    [ ] Circumstances negate motive to fabricate
    [ ] Against declarant's interest
    [ ] Corroborated by independent evidence
    [ ] Made without opportunity for reflection
    [ ] Consistent with contemporaneous conduct

  Threshold reliability established?  [Y/N]

──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

ADMISSIBILITY CONCLUSION
  [ ] Admissible under traditional exception, principled overlay met
  [ ] Admissible under principled approach
  [ ] Inadmissible — reason: __________________________________

WEIGHT ANALYSIS (if admitted):
  Weight factors:
    - [factor]
    - [factor]
  Expected weight: [High / Medium / Low]

──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

STRATEGY:
  If admitting: how to establish necessity and reliability
  If challenging: which prong to attack

VOIR DIRE REQUIRED?  [Y/N]
```