Which of the following best defines a 'Statement' for hearsay purposes?

• A. Only oral statements made under oath.
• B. Oral assertions, written assertions, or nonverbal conduct intended as an assertion.
• C. Any communication, regardless of intent.
• D. Only statements offered for truth.

Answer: (B)

Understanding what counts as a Statement for hearsay purposes. A Statement is any oral assertion, written assertion, or nonverbal conduct intended as an assertion. The crucial element is the speaker’s intent to communicate that something is being asserted; the form can be spoken, written, or conveyed through conduct. This broadens the concept beyond just spoken words to include writings and deliberate nonverbal signals when they are meant as assertions. That makes it the best answer because it accurately captures all the ways someone can express an assertion for hearsay. The other descriptions are too narrow or miss the importance of intent: limiting to oral statements under oath ignores writings and nonverbal assertions; including all communications regardless of intent wrongly treats incidental conduct as a Statement; and tying it to the offered-for-truth purpose alone misstates what defines a Statement.