Utah Special Function Officer (SFO) Practice Exam

Which exception to the hearsay rule involves a statement made during a startling event?

1. Excited utterance

2. Recorded recollection

3. Statement for medical purposes

4. Present sense impression

The correct answer is: Excited utterance

The correct answer is the excited utterance. This exception to the hearsay rule pertains specifically to statements made by a person during or immediately following a startling event or condition, which allows for the admission of that statement in court. The rationale behind this exception is that the excitement generated by the event can lead to spontaneous declarations that are considered reliable because they are made under the pressure of the moment, minimizing the likelihood of premeditated fabrication. In the context of admissibility in court, excited utterances are viewed as a form of evidence that reflects the immediate reactions of individuals to unexpected or shocking events, which can provide insights into what transpired without the influence of reflective thought that might distort the truth. The other options reflect different exceptions under the hearsay rule, yet do not involve the immediate reactions to startling events. Recorded recollection, for instance, pertains to a witness's ability to recount an event based on notes or records made at the time when the event occurred. Statements for medical purposes relate to information given by a patient for diagnosis or treatment, while present sense impressions are statements describing an event made concurrently with its occurrence. While all these exceptions serve to allow certain statements into evidence to enhance factual clarity, the excited utterance distinctly addresses the spontaneous nature