What does the hearsay rule state about evidence of previous representations made by a person?

The hearsay rule is a fundamental principle in evidence law that governs the admissibility of statements made outside of court. According to this rule, evidence of previous representations made by a person is generally inadmissible if it is presented to prove the truth of the facts that the statements assert. This is because such statements lack the reliability that arises when the declarant can be cross-examined about their truthfulness and accuracy.

When evidence is offered to establish the truth of the matter asserted in a previous statement, it does not fulfill the necessary requirements of reliability and direct observation. As a result, the hearsay rule prevents such evidence from being used in court to bolster the case for a particular fact being true.

While there may be instances where exceptions to the hearsay rule apply (such as certain statements made under specific circumstances), the general principle is that previous representations cannot be used to substantiate their own truth. Thus, the assertion that it is not admissible to prove the truth of the facts asserted reflects the core idea behind the hearsay rule.