Illinois Criminal Evidentiary Rules: Hearsay Rule 803

Illinois has finally adopted formal rules of evidence. Despite the declared intentions of the drafters, these rules do not fully harmonize with Illinois’ common law of evidence and the ad hoc modifications of those rules enacted by the legislature over the years. In Part 4 of his 7-part series entitled "Old Wine in a New Bottle: Illinois Law of Evidence and New Rules of Evidence for Criminal Defense," attorney Stephen L. Richards discusses the rules and case law governing the admission and exclusion of hearsay, focusing on exceptions for excited utterances, statements of mental or physical condition, medical care statements, recorded recollection, business records and other key documents. 

Learning Objectives: 

I. Discuss the rules and case law governing the admission and exclusion of hearsay, focusing on topics such as:

• exceptions for excited utterances 
• statements of mental or physical condition 
• medical care statements 
• recorded recollection 
• business records and various other documents

II. Grasp the "Attacking the Credibility of the Declarant" rule