Opinion ID: 1717916
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: improper documentary evidence

Text: In the present case, Social Services' report was offered to prove the truth of the matters asserted in the reports, namely, a factual basis for the conclusion that P.L. had willfully failed to comply with the rehabilitative plan. Therefore, such reports constitute hearsay. See Neb.Evid.R. 801 (definition of hearsay) (§ 27-801). Under the circumstances, the hearsay report effectively eliminated P.L.'s right to cross-examination regarding the contents of the departmental written report, which included prejudicial information embodied in entries by unidentified persons and which covered events outside the personal knowledge of any witness at the termination hearing. In proceedings to terminate parental rights under the Nebraska Juvenile Code, a parent has the due process right to cross-examine an adverse witness. In re Interest of R.A., supra ; In re Interest of J.K.B. and C.R.B., supra . Without the test of cross-examination, the hearsay report was unreliable evidence for termination of parental rights. Therefore, the juvenile court committed error in considering the Social Services report.