In general, hearsay evidence is not admissible in court. Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. However, there are exceptions to the rule of hearsay, such as when the statement falls under a recognized exception or when the declarant is unavailable. For example, a statement made by a now-deceased witness that is relevant to the case may be allowed as hearsay evidence. Ultimately, the admission of hearsay evidence is up to the discretion of the judge.