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Charles R. Nesson & Yochai Benkler, Constitutional Hearsay: Requiring Foundational Testing and Corroboration under the Confrontation Clause, 81 Va. L. Rev. 149 (1995).


Abstract: This article analyzes the role of hearsay in criminal justice proceedings and advocates for the court to adopt an active role in controlling the introduction of hearsay, to ensure that only credible hearsay is admitted into evidence. It considers the impact that hearsay has on the defendant’s constitutional right of confrontation, discussing in what circumstances corroboration and testing will allow the defendant’s rights and societal needs of justice and fairness to be satisfied.