Opinion ID: 2120575
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: FAA Reports as Hearsay

Text: Omni argues that the FAA reports admitted into evidence as inspection reports were hearsay evidence and were admitted without any foundational proof by a records custodian to show that the reports were true public records. As a corollary argument, it contends that each FAA document amounted to expert opinion which was not subject to cross-examination and, thus, Omni and Papachristou were denied their right to confront witnesses. The decision to admit or refuse evidence at trial is within the circuit court's discretion, and this court will not reverse that court's ruling absent an abuse of discretion and a showing of prejudice. See Barnes v. Everett, 351 Ark. 479, 95 S.W.3d 740 (2003). Rule 803(8) of the Arkansas Rules of Evidence sets forth an exception to the hearsay rule and deals with public records: (8) Public Records and Reports. To the extent not otherwise provided in this paragraph, records, reports, statements, or data compilations in any form of a public office or agency setting forth its regularly conducted and regularly recorded activities, or matters observed pursuant to duty imposed by law and as to which there was a duty to report, or factual findings resulting from an investigation made pursuant to authority granted by law. The following are not within this exception to the hearsay rule: (i) investigative reports by police and other law enforcement personnel; (ii) investigative reports prepared by or for a government, a public office, or an agency when offered by it in a case in which it is a party; (iii) factual findings offered by the government in criminal cases; (iv) factual findings resulting from special investigation of a particular complaint, case, or incident; and (v) any matter as to which the sources of information or other circumstances indicate lack of trustworthiness. Ark. R. Evid. 803(8) (2003). Omni challenges three documents which were reports resulting from inspections conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration. A review of all three reports reveals that each document was signed and verified by an FAA employee. All three reports, entitled Comparison Contrast of Relative Findings, are findings resulting from investigations made pursuant to authority granted to the FAA by law. They clearly fall within the Rule 803(8) exception and do not fall within any of the five exclusions to that rule. We affirm on this point as well. Affirmed as modified.