908.03 Annotation
The statement of the operator that the press had repeated 3 times, which was made 5 minutes after the malfunction causing his injury, was admissible under the excited utterance exception to the hearsay rule. Nelson v. L. & J. Press Corp.
65 Wis. 2d 770,
223 N.W.2d 607 (1974).
908.03 Annotation
Under the res gestae exception to the hearsay rule, the "excited utterance" exception under sub. (2), testimony by the victim's former husband that his daughter called him at 5 a.m. the morning after a murder and told him, "daddy, daddy, Wilbur killed mommy," was admissible. State v. Davis,
66 Wis. 2d 636,
225 N.W.2d 505 (1975).
908.03 Annotation
The official minutes of a highway committee were admissible under sub. (6) as "records of regularly conducted activity." State v. Nowakowski,
67 Wis. 2d 545,
227 N.W.2d 697 (1975).
908.03 Annotation
A public document, filed under oath and notarized by the defendant, was one having "circumstantial guarantees of trustworthiness" under sub. (24). State v. Nowakowski,
67 Wis. 2d 545,
227 N.W.2d 697 (1975).
908.03 Annotation
Statements made by a 5-year -old child to his mother one day after an alleged sexual assault by the defendant were admissible under the excited utterance exception to the hearsay rule, since a more liberal interpretation is provided for that exception in the case of a young child alleged to have been the victim of a sexual assault. State ex rel. Harris v. Schmidt,
69 Wis. 2d 668,
230 N.W.2d 890 (1975).
908.03 Annotation
Probation files and records are public records and admissible at a probation revocation hearing. State ex rel. Prellwitz v. Schmidt,
73 Wis. 2d 35,
242 N.W.2d 227 (1976).
908.03 Annotation
A statement made by a victim within minutes after a stabbing that the defendant "did this to me" was admissible under sub. (2). La Barge v. State,
74 Wis. 2d 327,
246 N.W.2d 794 (1976).
908.03 Annotation
Personal observation of a startling event is not required under sub. (2). State v. Lenarchick,
74 Wis. 2d 425,
247 N.W.2d 80 (1976).
908.03 Annotation
Admission of hospital records did not deprive the defendant of the right to confrontation. State v. Olson,
75 Wis. 2d 575,
250 N.W.2d 12 (1977).
908.03 Annotation
Observations made by a prior trial judge in a decision approving the jury's award of damages were properly excluded as hearsay in a later trial. Johnson v. American Family Mutual Insurance Co.
93 Wis. 2d 633,
287 N.W.2d 729 (1980).
908.03 Annotation
Medical records as explained to the jury by a medical student were sufficient to support a conviction; the right to confrontation was not denied. Hagenkord v. State,
100 Wis. 2d 452,
302 N.W.2d 421 (1981).
908.03 Annotation
A chiropractor could testify as to a patient's self-serving statements when those statements were used to form his medical opinion under sub. (4). Klingman v. Kruschke,
115 Wis. 2d 124,
339 N.W.2d 603 (Ct. App. 1983).
908.03 Annotation
An interrogator's account of a child witness's out of court statements made four days after a murder, when notes of the conversation were available although not introduced, was admissible under sub. (24). State v. Jenkins,
168 Wis. 2d 175,
483 N.W.2d 262 (1992).
908.03 Annotation
A defendant has a burden of production to come forward with some evidence of a negative defense to warrant jury consideration. State v. Pettit,
171 Wis. 2d 627,
492 N.W.2d 633 (Ct. App. 1992).
908.03 Annotation
For a statement to be an excited utterance there must be a "startling event or condition" and the declarant must have made the statement "while under the stress of excitement caused by the event or condition." State v. Boshcka,
173 Wis. 2d 387 reprinted at
178 Wis. 2d 628,
496 N.W.2d 627 (Ct. App. 1992).
908.03 Annotation
When proffered hearsay has sufficient guarantees of reliability to come within a firmly rooted exception, the confrontation clause is satisfied. State v. Patino,
177 Wis. 2d 348,
502 N.W.2d 601 (Ct. App. 1993).
908.03 Annotation
In applying the excited utterance exception in child sexual assault cases, a court must consider factors including the child's age and the contemporaneousness and spontaneity of the assertions in relation to the alleged assault. In applying the sub. (24) residual exception in such a case, the court must consider the attributes of the child, the person to whom the statement was made, the circumstances under which the statement was made, the content of the statement and corroborating evidence. State v. Gerald L.C.
194 Wis. 2d 549,
535 N.W.2d 777 (Ct. App. 1995).
908.03 Annotation
The sub. (2) excited utterance and the sub. (24) residual exceptions are discussed in relation to child sexual assault cases. State v. Huntington,
216 Wis. 2d 671,
575 N.W.2d 268 (1998).
908.03 Annotation
The hearsay exception for medical diagnosis or treatment under sub. (4) does not apply to statements made to counselors or social workers. State v. Huntington,
216 Wis. 2d 671,
575 N.W.2d 268 (1998).
908.03 Annotation
The requirement in sub. (18) that the writer of a statement in a treatise be recognized as an expert is not met by finding that the periodical containing the article was authoritative and reliable. Broadhead v. State Farm Mutual Insurance Co.
217 Wis. 2d 231,
579 N.W.2d 761 (Ct. App. 1998).
908.03 Annotation
The description of the effects of alcohol on a person contained in the Wisconsin Motorists Handbook produced by the Department of Transportation was admissible under sub. (8). Sullivan v. Waukesha County,
218 Wis. 2d 458,
578 N.W.2d 596 (1998).
908.03 Annotation
Evidence of 911 calls, including tapes and transcripts of the calls, is not inadmissible hearsay. Admission does not violate the right to confront witnesses. State v. Ballos,
230 Wis. 2d 495,
602 N.W.2d 117 (Ct. App. 1999).
908.03 Annotation
A state crime lab report prepared for a prosecution was erroneously admitted as a business record under sub. (6). State v. Williams, 2002 WI 58,
253 Wis. 2d 99,
644 N.W.2d 919.
908.03 Annotation
Portions of investigatory reports containing opinions or conclusions are admissible under the sub. (8) exception. Beech Aircraft Corp. v. Rainey,
488 U.S. 153,
102 L. Ed. 2d 445 (1988).
908.03 Annotation
Convictions through hearsay in child sexual abuse cases. Tuerkheimer. 72 MLR 47 (1988).
908.03 Annotation
Children's out-of-court statements. Anderson, 1974 WBB No. 5.
908.03 Annotation
Evidence review: Past recollections refreshed v. past recollection recorded. Fine. WBB March 1984.
908.03 Annotation
Evidence review - Business records and government reports: Hearsay Trojan horses? Fine. WBB April 1984.
908.03 Annotation
Medical records discovery in Wisconsin personal injury litigation. 1974 WLR 524.
908.04
908.04
Hearsay exceptions; declarant unavailable; definition of unavailability. 908.04(1)
(1) "Unavailability as a witness" includes situations in which the declarant:
908.04(1)(a)
(a) Is exempted by ruling of the judge on the ground of privilege from testifying concerning the subject matter of the declarant's statement; or
908.04(1)(b)
(b) Persists in refusing to testify concerning the subject matter of the declarant's statement despite an order of the judge to do so; or
908.04(1)(c)
(c) Testifies to a lack of memory of the subject matter of the declarant's statement; or
908.04(1)(d)
(d) Is unable to be present or to testify at the hearing because of death or then existing physical or mental illness or infirmity; or
908.04(1)(e)
(e) Is absent from the hearing and the proponent of the declarant's statement has been unable to procure the declarant's attendance by process or other reasonable means.
908.04(2)
(2) A declarant is not unavailable as a witness if the declarant's exemption, refusal, claim of lack of memory, inability, or absence is due to the procurement or wrongdoing of the proponent of the declarant's statement for the purpose of preventing the witness from attending or testifying.
908.04 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 59 Wis. 2d R1, R302 (1973);
1991 a. 32.
908.04 Annotation
Adequate medical evidence of probable psychological trauma is required to support an unavailability finding based on trauma, absent an emotional breakdown on the witness stand. State v. Sorenson,
152 Wis. 2d 471,
449 N.W.2d 280 (Ct. App. 1989).
908.04 Annotation
The state must show by a preponderance of the evidence that the declarant's absence is due to the defendant's misconduct under sub. (2). State v. Frambs,
157 Wis. 2d 700,
460 N.W.2d 811 (Ct. App. 1990).
908.04 Annotation
A finding of unavailability of a witness due to mental illness, made on the basis of a confused and stale record, deprived the defendant of the right to confront witnesses, but the error was harmless. Burns v. Clusen,
599 F. Supp. 1438 (1984).
908.045
908.045
Hearsay exceptions; declarant unavailable. The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule if the declarant is unavailable as a witness:
908.045(1)
(1) Former testimony. Testimony given as a witness at another hearing of the same or a different proceeding, or in a deposition taken in compliance with law in the course of another proceeding, at the instance of or against a party with an opportunity to develop the testimony by direct, cross-, or redirect examination, with motive and interest similar to those of the party against whom now offered.
908.045(2)
(2) Statement of recent perception. A statement, not in response to the instigation of a person engaged in investigating, litigating, or settling a claim, which narrates, describes, or explains an event or condition recently perceived by the declarant, made in good faith, not in contemplation of pending or anticipated litigation in which the declarant was interested, and while the declarant's recollection was clear.
908.045(3)
(3) Statement under belief of impending death. A statement made by a declarant while believing that the declarant's death was imminent, concerning the cause or circumstances of what the declarant believed to be the declarant's impending death.
908.045(4)
(4) Statement against interest. A statement which was at the time of its making so far contrary to the declarant's pecuniary or proprietary interest, or so far tended to subject the declarant to civil or criminal liability or to render invalid a claim by the declarant against another or to make the declarant an object of hatred, ridicule, or disgrace, that a reasonable person in the declarant's position would not have made the statement unless the person believed it to be true. A statement tending to expose the declarant to criminal liability and offered to exculpate the accused is not admissible unless corroborated.
908.045(5)
(5) Statement of personal or family history of declarant. A statement concerning the declarant's own birth, adoption, marriage, divorce, relationship by blood, adoption or marriage, ancestry, whether the person is a marital or nonmarital child, or other similar fact of personal or family history, even though declarant had no means of acquiring personal knowledge of the matter stated.
908.045(5m)
(5m) Statement of personal or family history of person other than the declarant. A statement concerning the birth, adoption, marriage, divorce, relationship by blood, adoption or marriage, ancestry, whether the person is a marital or nonmarital child, or other similar fact of personal or family history and death of a person other than the declarant, if the declarant was related to the other person by blood, adoption or marriage or was so intimately associated with the other person's family as to be likely to have accurate information concerning the matter declared.
908.045(6)
(6) Other exceptions. A statement not specifically covered by any of the foregoing exceptions but having comparable circumstantial guarantees of trustworthiness.
908.045 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 59 Wis. 2d R1, R308 (1973);
1975 c. 94 s.
91 (12);
1975 c. 199;
1983 a. 447;
1991 a. 32;
1999 a. 85.
908.045 Annotation
A good-faith effort to obtain a witness's presence at trial is a prerequisite to finding that the witness is "unavailable" for purposes of invoking the hearsay exception respecting former testimony. La Barge v. State,
74 Wis. 2d 327,
246 N.W.2d 794 (1976).
908.045 Annotation
The defendant's right of confrontation was not violated when preliminary examination testimony of a deceased witness was admitted at trial since the defendant had an unlimited opportunity to cross-examine the witness and the testimony involved the same issues and parties as at trial. Nabbefeld v. State,
83 Wis. 2d 515,
266 N.W.2d 292 (1978).
908.045 Annotation
A statement against penal interest may be admissible under sub. (4) if 4 factors indicating trustworthiness of the statement are present. Ryan v. State,
95 Wis. 2d 83,
289 N.W.2d 349 (Ct. App. 1980).
908.045 Annotation
A finding of unavailability of a witness due to mental illness, made on the basis of a confused and stale record, deprived the defendant of the right to confront the witness. State v. Zellmer,
100 Wis. 2d 136,
301 N.W.2d 209 (1981).
908.045 Annotation
Corroboration under sub. (4) must be sufficient to permit a reasonable person to conclude, in light of all the facts and circumstances, that the statement could be true. State v. Anderson,
141 Wis. 2d 653,
416 N.W.2d 276 (1987).
908.045 Annotation
Under the "totality of factors" test, statements by a 7-year-old sexual abuse victim to a social worker possessed sufficient guarantees of trustworthiness to be admissible under sub. (6) at a preliminary hearing. State v. Sorenson,
143 Wis. 2d 226,
421 N.W.2d 77 (1988).
908.045 Annotation
The exception for a statement of recent perception under sub. (2) does not apply to the aural perception of an oral statement privately told to a person. State v. Stevens,
171 Wis. 2d 106,
490 N.W.2d 753 (Ct. App. 1992).
908.045 Annotation
The exception under sub. (4) for a statement that makes the declarant an object of hatred, ridicule or disgrace requires that the declarant have a personal interest in keeping the statement secret. State v. Stevens,
171 Wis. 2d 106,
490 N.W.2d 753 (Ct. App. 1992).
908.045 Annotation
The similar motive and interest requirement of sub. (1) is discussed. State v. Hickman,
182 Wis. 2d 318,
513 N.W.2d 657 (Ct. App. 1994).
908.045 Annotation
The sub. (6) residual exception should be applied only to novel or unanticipated categories of hearsay. The testimony of a 5-year-old girl against her mother fell within the sub. (6) exception when there were adequate assurances of trustworthiness. Requiring the girl to incriminate her mother at trial presented an exigency similar to the psychological scarring of a child victim. State v. Petrovic,
224 Wis. 2d 477,
592 N.W.2d 238 (Ct. App. 1999).
908.045 Annotation
There are objective and subjective poles to the "social interest" exception under sub. (4) for statements that would subject the declarant to hatred, ridicule, or disgrace. The objective pole is the determination that the declarant actually faced a risk of hatred, ridicule, or disgrace. The subjective pole is the declarant's appreciation of that risk. State v. Murillo, 2001 WI App 11,
240 Wis. 2d 666,
623 N.W.2d 187.
908.045 Annotation
If a hearsay statement falls within a firmly rooted hearsay exception, it is automatically admitted; such statements are reliable without cross-examination. Hearsay that is not within a firmly rooted exception requires "particularized showings of trustworthiness" to be admitted The social interest exception under sub. (4) is not firmly rooted, but there were sufficient showings of trust worthiness in this case. State v. Murillo, 2001 WI App 11,
240 Wis. 2d 666,
623 N.W.2d 187.
908.045 Annotation
Corroboration requirement for statements against penal interest. 1989 WLR 403 (1989).
908.05
908.05
Hearsay within hearsay. Hearsay included within hearsay is not excluded under the hearsay rule if each part of the combined statements conforms with an exception to the hearsay rule provided in this chapter.
908.05 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 59 Wis. 2d R1, R323 (1973).
908.05 Annotation
The admission of double hearsay did not violate the defendant's right to confront witnesses. State v. Lenarchick,
74 Wis. 2d 425,
247 N.W.2d 80 (1976).
908.05 Annotation
Evidence of 9-1-1 calls, including tapes and transcripts of the calls, is not inadmissible hearsay. Admission does not violate the right to confront witnesses. State v. Ballos,
230 Wis. 2d 495,
602 N.W.2d 117 (Ct. App. 1999).
908.06
908.06
Attacking and supporting credibility of declarant. When a hearsay statement has been admitted in evidence, the credibility of the declarant may be attacked, and if attacked may be supported by any evidence which would be admissible for those purposes if declarant had testified as a witness. Evidence of a statement or conduct by the declarant at any time, inconsistent with the declarant's hearsay statement, is not subject to any requirement that the declarant may have been afforded an opportunity to deny or explain. If the party against whom a hearsay statement has been admitted calls the declarant as a witness, the party is entitled to examine the declarant on the statement as if under cross-examination.
908.06 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 59 Wis. 2d R1, R325 (1973);
1991 a. 32.
908.07
908.07
Preliminary examination; hearsay allowable. A statement which is hearsay, and which is not otherwise excluded from the hearsay rule under
ss. 908.02 to
908.045, may be allowed in a preliminary examination as specified in
s. 970.03 (11).
908.07 History
History: 1979 c. 332.
908.08
908.08
Videotaped statements of children. Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (1) is shown as amended eff. 2-1-03 by
2001 Wis. Act 109. Prior to 2-1-03 it reads:
Effective date text
(1) In any criminal trial or hearing, juvenile fact-finding hearing under s. 48.31 or 938.31 or revocation hearing under s. 304.06 (3) or 973.10 (2), the court or hearing examiner may admit into evidence the videotaped oral statement of a child who is available to testify, as provided in this section.
908.08(2)(a)(a) Not less than 10 days prior to the trial or hearing, or such later time as the court or hearing examiner permits upon cause shown, the party offering the statement shall file with the court or hearing officer an offer of proof showing the caption of the case, the name and present age of the child who has given the statement, the date, time and place of the statement and the name and business address of the videotape camera operator. That party shall give notice of the offer of proof to all other parties, including notice of reasonable opportunity for them to view the videotape prior to the hearing under
par. (b).
908.08(2)(b)
(b) Prior to the trial or hearing in which the statement is offered and upon notice to all parties, the court or hearing examiner shall conduct a hearing on the statement's admissibility. At or prior to the hearing, the court shall view the videotape. At the hearing, the court or hearing examiner shall rule on objections to the statement's admissibility in whole or in part. If the trial is to be tried by a jury, the court shall enter an order for editing as provided in
s. 885.44 (12).
908.08(3)
(3) The court or hearing examiner shall admit the videotape statement upon finding all of the following:
908.08(3)(a)
(a) That the trial or hearing in which the videotape statement is offered will commence:
908.08(3)(a)2.
2. Before the child's 16th birthday and the interests of justice warrant its admission under
sub. (4).
908.08(3)(b)
(b) That the videotape is accurate and free from excision, alteration and visual or audio distortion.
908.08(3)(c)
(c) That the child's statement was made upon oath or affirmation or, if the child's developmental level is inappropriate for the administration of an oath or affirmation in the usual form, upon the child's understanding that false statements are punishable and of the importance of telling the truth.
908.08(3)(d)
(d) That the time, content and circumstances of the statement provide indicia of its trustworthiness.
908.08(3)(e)
(e) That admission of the statement will not unfairly surprise any party or deprive any party of a fair opportunity to meet allegations made in the statement.
908.08(4)
(4) In determining whether the interests of justice warrant the admission of a videotape statement of a child who is at least 12 years of age but younger than 16 years of age, among the factors which the court or hearing examiner may consider are any of the following:
908.08(4)(a)
(a) The child's chronological age, level of development and capacity to comprehend the significance of the events and to verbalize about them.
908.08(4)(b)
(b) The child's general physical and mental health.
