How is "hearsay" regarded in Ohio's evidence law?

In Ohio's evidence law, hearsay is defined as an out-of-court statement that is offered in court to prove the truth of the matter asserted in that statement. Generally, hearsay is inadmissible, as it is considered unreliable because the opposing party cannot cross-examine the declarant. This concept is rooted in the fundamental principles of evidence law that prioritize the ability to challenge the credibility of witnesses and the information they present.

The inadmissibility of hearsay is based on the concern that out-of-court statements lack the safeguards of reliability that come with a witness testifying in court. Since the person who made the statement is not present to be questioned about their statement or motives, it raises doubts about its accuracy and trustworthiness.

While there are many exceptions to the hearsay rule—many of which are recognized in Ohio law—these exceptions entail specific circumstances under which certain out-of-court statements can be admissible. However, the baseline understanding remains that hearsay is generally an out-of-court assertion used to prove its truth, which is inadmissible unless it falls within one of these recognized exceptions.