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Evidence
Part of the law series
Types of evidence
Testimony Documentary Real (physical) Digital Exculpatory Inculpatory Demonstrative Eyewitness identification Genetic (DNA) Lies Consciousness of guilt
Relevance
Burden of proof Laying a foundation Materiality Public policy exclusions Spoliation Character Habit Similar fact
Authentication
Chain of custody Judicial notice Best evidence rule Self-authenticating document Ancient document Hague Evidence Convention
Witnesses
Competence Privilege Direct examination Cross-examination Redirect Impeachment Proffer agreement Recorded recollection Expert witness Dead Man's Statute
Hearsay and exceptions
in English law in United States law Confessions Business records Excited utterance Dying declaration Party admission Ancient document Declaration against interest Present sense impression Res gestae Learned treatise Implied assertion
Other common law areas
Contract Tort Property Wills, trusts and estates Criminal law
v t e

An admission in the law of evidence is a prior statement by an adverse party which can be admitted into evidence over a hearsay objection. In general, admissions are admissible in criminal and civil cases.

At common law, admissions were admissible. A statement could only be excluded by a showing of involuntariness, unfairness, or that the circumstances under which the statement was obtained was improper or illegal.

Form of admission

An admission may be made orally or contained within a writing. In some situations, an admission that is made by an authorized agent of a party to litigation will be admissible as evidence and attributable to that party.

Oral admission

Where the admission is oral, the person who heard the admission may testify to what the party who made the admission said.

Documental admission

Where the admission is in the form of a written record or document, and evidence is offered to prove the contents of the written record, the best evidence rule applies to require that an original document must be used in evidence unless it is unavailable. This rule, however, only applies when evidence is offered to prove its contents.

Regulations by country

United States

In the United States, "Admission by a party-opponent" is explicitly excepted from hearsay under the Federal Rules of Evidence. Rule 801(d)(2). Among several types of admissions, the rule notes that an admission can be the "party's own statement" or a statement in which the "party has manifested an adoption or belief in its truth."

Under both common law and the Federal Rules of Evidence, an admission becomes legally invalid after nine years from the date of the initial admission.

References

Lehman, Jeffrey; Phelps, Shirelle (2005). West's Encyclopedia of American Law, Vol. 1 (2 ed.). Detroit: Thomson/Gale. p. 119. ISBN 9780787663742.
Bowett, D.W. (1957). "Estoppel before International Tribunals and Its Relation to Acquiescence". British Yearbook of International Law. 33: 176.
Ladd, Mason (1952). "The Hearsay We Admit". Oklahoma Law Review. 5: 271.
"Rule 801. Definitions That Apply to This Article; Exclusions from Hearsay". Legal Information Institute. Cornell Law School. Retrieved 22 November 2021.