Opinion ID: 1060657
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: burden on trial courts

Text: While the majority has not clearly articulated the precise new hearsay exception created by this case, the exception would appear to be as follows: The rule against hearsay may be abridged whenever the rule against hearsay excludes evidence that may negate an essential element of the State's case thereby impeding a defendant's ability to present a complete defense. Such a broad holding is dangerous precedent and places trial judges in a Catch-22 situation. Hearsay evidence is generally relevant evidence proffered to negate an element of the State's case. The preclusion of any evidence that tends to negate an element of the State's case impedes a defendant's ability to present a defense. Accordingly, the majority's analysis and its failure to articulate a precise and narrow exception to be applied in similar cases effectively abolish our rule against hearsay and potentially abolish other evidentiary rules such as the rape shield law which, as a matter of policy, preclude admissibility of specific and relevant evidence. Trial judges may now face a difficult task in deciding the admissibility of generally inadmissible evidence. Trial judges in a criminal proceeding when faced with proffered hearsay evidence must: (1) decide whether the evidence is hearsay; (2) decide whether the evidence is admissible as an exception to the rule against hearsay; and (3) determine whether the hearsay evidence negates an element of the State's case. If the trial judge admits the hearsay, the trial judge may have committed error by allowing introduction of inadmissible evidence. If the trial judge precludes the hearsay, the trial judge, according to the majority, may have committed reversible error by impeding the defendant's right to present a case. Accordingly, the trial judge faces potential error regardless of the evidentiary ruling. Furthermore, the trial court has neither the appellate court's benefit of hindsight nor a complete trial record with which to determine whether the error of admitting or the error of excluding is egregious error or harmless error.