CHAPTER 908
EVIDENCE — HEARSAY
908.03 Hearsay exceptions; availability of declarant immaterial.
908.04 Hearsay exceptions; declarant unavailable; definition of unavailability.
908.045 Hearsay exceptions; declarant unavailable.
908.05 Hearsay within hearsay.
908.06 Attacking and supporting credibility of declarant.
908.07 Preliminary examination; hearsay allowable.
908.08 Videotaped statements of children.
Ch. 908 Note
NOTE: Extensive comments by the Judicial Council Committee and the Federal Advisory Committee are printed with chs. 901 to 911 in 59 Wis. 2d. The court did not adopt the comments but ordered them printed with the rules for information purposes.
908.01
908.01
Definitions. The following definitions apply under this chapter:
908.01(1)
(1) Statement. A "statement" is (a) an oral or written assertion or (b) nonverbal conduct of a person, if it is intended by the person as an assertion.
908.01(2)
(2) Declarant. A "declarant" is a person who makes a statement.
908.01(3)
(3) Hearsay. "Hearsay" is a statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted.
908.01(4)
(4) Statements which are not hearsay. A statement is not hearsay if:
908.01(4)(a)
(a)
Prior statement by witness. The declarant testifies at the trial or hearing and is subject to cross-examination concerning the statement, and the statement is:
908.01(4)(a)2.
2. Consistent with the declarant's testimony and is offered to rebut an express or implied charge against the declarant of recent fabrication or improper influence or motive, or
908.01(4)(a)3.
3. One of identification of a person made soon after perceiving the person; or
908.01(4)(b)
(b)
Admission by party opponent. The statement is offered against a party and is:
908.01(4)(b)1.
1. The party's own statement, in either the party's individual or a representative capacity, or
908.01(4)(b)2.
2. A statement of which the party has manifested the party's adoption or belief in its truth, or
908.01(4)(b)3.
3. A statement by a person authorized by the party to make a statement concerning the subject, or
908.01(4)(b)4.
4. A statement by the party's agent or servant concerning a matter within the scope of the agent's or servant's agency or employment, made during the existence of the relationship, or
908.01(4)(b)5.
5. A statement by a coconspirator of a party during the course and in furtherance of the conspiracy.
908.01 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 59 Wis. 2d R1, R220 (1973);
1991 a. 31.
908.01 Annotation
A witness's claimed nonrecollection of a prior statement may constitute inconsistent testimony under sub. (4) (a) 1. State v. Lenarchick,
74 Wis. 2d 425,
247 N.W.2d 80.
908.01 Annotation
The admissibility under sub. (4) (a) 2. and 3. of prior consistent statements is discussed. Green v. State,
75 Wis. 2d 631,
250 N.W.2d 305.
908.01 Annotation
When a defendant implied that the plaintiff recently fabricated a professed belief that a contract did not exist, a financial statement that showed the plaintiff's nonbelief in the existence of the contract was admissible under sub. (4) (a) 2. Gerner v. Vasby,
75 Wis. 2d 660,
250 N.W.2d 319.
908.01 Annotation
Under sub. (4) (b) 4., there is no requirement that the statement be authorized by the employer or principal. Mercurdo v. County of Milwaukee,
82 Wis. 2d 781,
264 N.W.2d 258.
908.01 Annotation
Under sub. (4) (b) 1., any prior out-of-court statements by a party, whether or not they are "against interest", are not hearsay. State v. Benoit,
83 Wis. 2d 389,
265 N.W.2d 298 (1978).
908.01 Annotation
Sub. (4) (a) 3. applies to statements of identification made soon after perceiving the suspect or his likeness in the identification process. State v. Williamson,
84 Wis. 2d 370,
267 N.W.2d 337 (1978).
908.01 Annotation
A robber's representation that a bottle contained nitroglycerine was admissible under sub. (4) (b) 1. to prove that the robber was armed with a dangerous weapon. Beamon v. State,
93 Wis. 2d 215,
286 N.W.2d 592 (1980).
908.01 Annotation
A prior inconsistent statement by a witness at a criminal trial is admissible under sub. (4) (a) 1. as substantive evidence. Vogel v. State,
96 Wis. 2d 372,
291 N.W.2d 850 (1980).
908.01 Annotation
The admission of a statement by a deceased co-conspirator did not violate the right of confrontation and was within sub. (4) (b) 5. State v. Dorcey,
103 Wis. 2d 152,
307 N.W.2d 612 (1981).
908.01 Annotation
Testimony as to a conversation in which the defendant was accused of murder and did not deny it was admissible under the adoptive admissions exception under sub. (4) (b) 2. State v. Marshall,
113 Wis. 2d 643,
335 N.W.2d 612 (1983).
908.01 Annotation
The statement of a coconspirator under sub. (4) (b) 5. may be admitted without proof of the declarant's unavailability or a showing of particular indicia of reliability; the court must determine whether circumstances exist warranting exclusion. State v. Webster,
156 Wis. 2d 510,
458 N.W.2d 373 (Ct. App. 1990).
908.01 Annotation
A confession made in Spanish to a detective who took notes and reported in English was admissible under sub. (4) (b). State v. Arroyo,
166 Wis. 2d 74,
479 N.W.2d 549 (Ct. App. 1991).
908.01 Annotation
Rule 901.04 (1) permits an out-of-court declaration by a party's alleged coconspirator to be considered by the trial court in determining whether there was a conspiracy under sub. (4) (b) 5. State v. Whitaker,
167 Wis. 2d 247,
481 N.W.2d 649 (Ct. App. 1992).
908.01 Annotation
When a person relies on a translator for communication the statements of the translator are regraded as the speaker's for hearsay purposes. State v. Patino,
177 Wis. 2d 348,
502 N.W.2d 601 (Ct. App. 1993).
908.01 Annotation
The admissibility of one inconsistent sentence under sub. (4) (a) 1. does not bring the declarant's entire statement within the scope of that rule. Wikrent v. Toys "R" Us,
179 Wis. 2d 297,
507 N.W.2d 130 (Ct. App. 1993).
908.01 Annotation
While polygraph tests are inadmissible, post-polygraph interviews, found distinct both as to time and content from the examination that preceded them and the statements made therein, are admissible. State v. Johnson,
193 Wis. 2d 382,
535 Wis. 2d 441 (Ct. App. 1995).
908.01 Annotation
There must be facts that support a reasonable conclusion that a defendant has "embraced the truth" of someone else's statement as a condition precedent to finding an adoptive admission under sub. (4) (b) 2. State v. Rogers,
199 Wis. 2d 817,
539 N.W.2d 897 (Ct. App. 1995).
908.01 Annotation
Statements made by a prosecutor, not under oath, in a prior proceeding may be considered admissions if: (1) the court is convinced the prior statement is inconsistent with the statement at the later trial, (2) the statements are the equivalent of testimonial statements, and (3) the inconsistency is a fair one and an innocent explanation does not exist. State v. Cardenas-Hernandez,
214 Wis. 2d 71,
571 N.W.2d 406 (Ct. App. 1997).
908.01 Annotation
A party's use of an out-of-court statement to show an inconsistency does not automatically give the opposing party the right to introduce the whole statement. Under the rule of completeness, the court has discretion to admit only those statements necessary to provide context and prevent distortion. State v. Eugenio,
219 Wis. 2d 391,
579 N.W.2d 642 (1998).
908.01 Annotation
To use a prior consistent statement under sub. (4) (a) 2., the proponent must show that the statement predated the alleged recent fabrication and that there was an express or implied charge of fabrication at trial. Arsine v. Cascade Mountain, Inc.
223 Wis. 2d 39,
588 N.W.2d 321 (Ct. App. 1998).
908.01 Annotation
Although s. 907.03 allows an expert to base an opinion on hearsay, it does not transform the testimony into admissible evidence. The court must determine when the underlying hearsay may reach the trier of fact through examination of the expert, with cautioning instructions, and when it must be excluded altogether. State v. Watson,
227 Wis. 2d 167,
595 N.W.2d 403 (1999).
908.01 Annotation
When a criminal defendant objects to testimony of his or her out of court statement as incomplete or attempts to cross-examine the witness on additional parts of the statement, the court must make a discretionary determination regarding completeness required by Eugenio. Additional portions of the defendant's statement are not inadmissible solely because the defendant chooses not to testify. State v. Anderson,
230 Wis. 2d 121,
600 N.W.2d 913 (Ct. App. 1999).
908.01 Annotation
The existence of a conspiracy under sub. (4) (b) 5. must be shown by a preponderance of the evidence by the party offering the statement. Bourjaily v. United States,
483 U.S. 171 (1987).
908.01 Annotation
Under sub. (4) (b) 4., a party introducing the statement of an agent as the admission of a principal need not show that the agent had authority to speak for the principal. The rule only requires that the agent's statement concern "a matter within the scope of his agency or employment." Perzinski v. Chevron Chemical Co.
503 F. 2d 654.
908.01 Annotation
Bourjaily v. United States: New rule for admitting coconspirator hearsay statements. 1988 WLR 577 (1988).
908.02
908.02
Hearsay rule. Hearsay is not admissible except as provided by these rules or by other rules adopted by the supreme court or by statute.
908.02 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 59 Wis. 2d R1, R248 (1973).
908.02 Annotation
The rule of completeness requires that a statement, including otherwise inadmissible evidence including hearsay, be admitted in its entirety when necessary to explain an admissible portion of the statement. The rule is not restricted to writings or recorded statements. State v. Sharp,
180 Wis. 2d 640,
511 N.W.2d 316 (Ct. App. 1993).
908.02 Annotation
Prisoner disciplinary hearings are governed by administrative rules that permit consideration of hearsay evidence. State ex rel. Ortega v. McCaughtry,
221 Wis. 2d 376,
585 N.W.2d 640 (Ct. App. 1998).
908.03
908.03
Hearsay exceptions; availability of declarant immaterial. The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule, even though the declarant is available as a witness:
908.03(1)
(1) Present sense impression. A statement describing or explaining an event or condition made while the declarant was perceiving the event or condition, or immediately thereafter.
908.03(2)
(2) Excited utterance. A statement relating to a startling event or condition made while the declarant was under the stress of excitement caused by the event or condition.
908.03(3)
(3) Then existing mental, emotional, or physical condition. A statement of the declarant's then existing state of mind, emotion, sensation, or physical condition, such as intent, plan, motive, design, mental feeling, pain, and bodily health, but not including a statement of memory or belief to prove the fact remembered or believed unless it relates to the execution, revocation, identification, or terms of declarant's will.
908.03(4)
(4) Statements for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment. Statements made for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment and describing medical history, or past or present symptoms, pain or sensations, or the inception or general character of the cause or external source thereof insofar as reasonably pertinent to diagnosis or treatment.
908.03(5)
(5) Recorded recollection. A memorandum or record concerning a matter about which a witness once had knowledge but now has insufficient recollection to enable the witness to testify fully and accurately, shown to have been made when the matter was fresh in the witness's memory and to reflect that knowledge correctly.
908.03(6)
(6) Records of regularly conducted activity. A memorandum, report, record, or data compilation, in any form, of acts, events, conditions, opinions, or diagnoses, made at or near the time by, or from information transmitted by, a person with knowledge, all in the course of a regularly conducted activity, as shown by the testimony of the custodian or other qualified witness, unless the sources of information or other circumstances indicate lack of trustworthiness.
908.03(6m)(a)(a)
Definition. In this subsection, "health care provider" means a massage therapist or bodyworker issued a license of registration under
subch. XI of ch. 440, a chiropractor licensed under
ch. 446, a dentist licensed under
ch. 447, a physician assistant licensed under
ch. 448 or a health care provider as defined in
s. 655.001 (8).
908.03(6m)(b)
(b)
Authentication witness unnecessary. A custodian or other qualified witness required by
sub. (6) is unnecessary if the party who intends to offer health care provider records into evidence at a trial or hearing does one of the following at least 40 days before the trial or hearing:
908.03(6m)(b)1.
1. Serves upon all appearing parties an accurate, legible and complete duplicate of the health care provider records for a stated period certified by the record custodian.
908.03(6m)(b)2.
2. Notifies all appearing parties that an accurate, legible and complete duplicate of the health care provider records for a stated period certified by the record custodian is available for inspection and copying during reasonable business hours at a specified location within the county in which the trial or hearing will be held.
908.03(6m)(c)
(c)
Subpoena limitations. Health care provider records are subject to subpoena only if one of the following conditions exists:
908.03(6m)(c)2.
2. The subpoena is authorized by an ex parte order of a judge for cause shown and upon terms.
908.03(6m)(c)3.
3. If upon a properly authorized request of an attorney, the health care provider refuses, fails or neglects to supply within 2 business days a legible certified duplicate of its records for the fees established under
par. (d).
908.03(6m)(d)
(d)
Fees. The department of health and family services shall, by rule, prescribe uniform fees based on an approximation of the actual costs that a health care provider may charge under
par. (c) 3. for certified duplicate health care records. The rule shall also allow the health care provider to charge for postage or other delivery costs.
908.03(7)
(7) Absence of entry in records of regularly conducted activity. Evidence that a matter is not included in the memoranda, reports, records or data compilations, in any form, of a regularly conducted activity, to prove the nonoccurrence or nonexistence of the matter, if the matter was of a kind of which a memorandum, report, record, or data compilation was regularly made and preserved, unless the sources of information or other circumstances indicate lack of trustworthiness.
