What is required for an action to be considered hearsay in court?

An action is considered hearsay in court when it involves an out-of-court statement that is offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted within that statement. This means that for something to qualify as hearsay, the statement must not be made in front of the court or the judge, nor is it related to direct evidence or testimony from a witness who is present in the courtroom. The key characteristic of hearsay is that it relies on statements made outside the courtroom, which generally do not carry the same level of reliability as live testimony. Using this understanding helps to distinguish hearsay from other types of evidence, ensuring that the reliability and credibility of evidence presented in court is upheld.