The correct answer is (a). Expert’s opinion is not an exception to the rule of hearsay under the law of evidence.
Hearsay is a statement made by someone other than the witness testifying at trial, offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Hearsay is generally not admissible in court because it is unreliable. However, there are a number of exceptions to the hearsay rule, including the following:
- Dying declaration: A statement made by a person who believes that they are about to die and who is aware of their impending death. The statement must be about the cause or circumstances of their death.
- Confession: A statement made by a person who is accused of a crime, admitting to the crime.
- Res gestae: A statement that is part of the same transaction or event as the one being litigated.
- Excited utterance: A statement made by a person who is under the stress of excitement caused by an event.
- Present sense impression: A statement made by a person who is perceiving an event as it is happening.
- Business record: A record made in the course of a regularly conducted business activity.
- Public records: A record made by a public official or agency.
Expert’s opinion is not an exception to the hearsay rule because it is not a statement made by someone other than the witness testifying at trial. Expert witnesses are allowed to testify about their opinions based on their specialized knowledge, even if those opinions are based on hearsay evidence.