An “excited utterance” is such a compelling statement of truth, it is considered under United States Federal Law to be an exception to the legal hearsay rule.

Because the “excited utterance” is made spontaneously under the influence of a startling event before the witness has had an opportunity for reflection, it is, therefore, considered to be a truthful exclamation.

REFERENCES:

“Excited Utterance.”  Cornell University Law School. <http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/excited_utterance>  “Excited Utterances Law and Legal Definition.” USLegal.com. n.d. <https://definitions.uslegal.com/e/excited-utterances

“Present Sense Impression and Excited Utterance Hearsay Exceptions.” American Bar Association. <https://web.archive.org/web/20190904033442/http://apps.americanbar.org/litigation/committees/trialevidence/articles/winter2016-0216-present-sense-impression-excited-utterance-hearsay-exceptions.html