excited utterance

noun

ex·​cit·​ed ut·​ter·​ance
: a statement that concerns a startling event (as a physical assault) and that is made by a person while under stress caused by the event see also res gestae, spontaneous declaration at declaration compare dying declaration at declaration

Note: Excited utterances are an exception to the hearsay rule even if the declarant is unavailable as a witness.

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Cite this Entry

“Excited utterance.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/excited%20utterance. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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