firmly rooted hearsay exception (West Virginia) · Go Syfert
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firmly rooted hearsay exception in West Virginia

18 West Virginia opinions name it 1 courts 1987–2026 2 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by West Virginia courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (11)

CaseFollowedCited
Ohio v. Robertsred
scotus · 1980 · cited in 6 West Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1987–2026
2 sentences

2026For that reason, the Crawford Court abrogated its earlier decision in Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S. 56 (1980), in which the Court concluded that the Confrontation Clause did not preclude the admission of an unavailable witness’s statement against an accused at trial, so long as the statement bore “adequate ‘indicia of reliability,’” shown either “where the evidence falls within a firmly rooted hearsay exception” or where there is “a showing of particularized guarantees of trustworthiness.” Roberts, 448 U.S. at 66 .

2026For that reason, the Crawford Court abrogated its earlier decision in Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S. 56 (1980), in which the Court concluded that the Confrontation Clause did not preclude the admission of an unavailable witness’s statement against an accused at trial, so long as the statement bore “adequate ‘indicia of reliability,’” shown either “where the evidence falls within a firmly rooted hearsay exception” or where there is “a showing of particularized guarantees of trustworthiness.” Roberts, 448 U.S. at 66 .

26
State v. James Edward S.green
wva · 1990 · cited in 6 West Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1999–2026
2 sentences

2003Reliability can usually be inferred where the evidence falls within a firmly rooted hearsay exception.” Syllabus Point 5, State v. James Edward S., 184 W.Va. 408 , 400 S.E.2d 843 (1990).

2003Reliability can usually be inferred where the evidence falls within a firmly rooted hearsay exception.” Syllabus Point 5, State v. James Edward S., 184 W.Va. 408 , 400 S.E.2d 843 (1990).

26
State v. Masongreen
wva · 1995 · cited in 4 West Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1995–2011
2 sentences

2011As we held in syllabus point six of Mason , For purposes of the Confrontation Clause found in the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Section 14 of Article III of the West Virginia Constitution, no independent inquiry into reliability is required when the evidence falls within a firmly rooted hearsay exception. 194 W.Va. at 224, 460 S.E.2d at 39 .

2011As we held in syllabus point six of Mason , For purposes of the Confrontation Clause found in the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Section 14 of Article III of the West Virginia Constitution, no independent inquiry into reliability is required when the evidence falls within a firmly rooted hearsay exception. 194 W.Va. at 224, 460 S.E.2d at 39 .

14
State v. Kennedygreen
wva · 1999 · cited in 3 West Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2002–2012
2 sentences

2012We further found that even in absence of the limited application endorsed in Roberts and James Edward S . to statements made in prior judicial proceedings, the autopsy report fell within a firmly rooted hearsay exception for public records. 7 Id. at 229-30, 517 S.E.2d at 462-63 .

2012We noted further that the Office of Medical Examiners was required by statute to “[k]eep full, complete, and properly indexed records of all deaths investigated, containing all relevant information concerning the death, and the autopsy report if such be made.” Id. at 230 n. 10, 517 S.E.2d at 463 n. 10 (citing W.

13
Idaho v. Wrightgreen
scotus · 1990 · cited in 2 West Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1990–1990
2 sentences

1990The United States Supreme Court began its analysis by recognizing that Rule 803(24) is not "a firmly rooted hearsay exception ... [that] satisfies the constitutional requirement of reliability because of the weight accorded long-standing judicial and legislative experience in assessing the trustworthiness of certain types of out-of-court statements." 497 U.S. at ___ , 110 S.Ct. at 3147 , 111 L.Ed.2d at 653 .

1990The United States Supreme Court began its analysis by recognizing that Rule 803(24) is not “a firmly rooted hearsay exception ... [that] satisfies the constitutional requirement of reliability because of the weight accorded long-standing judicial and legislative experience in assessing the trustworthiness of certain types of out-of-court statements.” 497 U.S. at —, 110 S.Ct. at 3147 , 111 L.Ed.2d at 653 .

12
Gannon v. Stategreen
del · 1998 · cited in 1 West Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2026–2026
1 sentence

2026Mich. 2010); see, e.g., Gannon v. State, 704 A.2d 272, 275 (Del. 1998) (quoting White v. Illinois, 502 U.S. 346 , 355 n.8 (1992)) (“The hearsay 16 2.

11
White v. Illinoisgreen
scotus · 1992 · cited in 1 West Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2026–2026
1 sentence

2026Mich. 2010); see, e.g., Gannon v. State, 704 A.2d 272, 275 (Del. 1998) (quoting White v. Illinois, 502 U.S. 346 , 355 n.8 (1992)) (“The hearsay 16 2.

11
State v. Kaufmangreen
wva · 2011 · cited in 1 West Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2015–2015
2 sentences

2015See syl. pt. 4, Kaufman, 227 W.Va. 537 , 711 S.E.2d 607 (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).

2015See syl. pt. 4, Kaufman, 227 W.Va. 537 , 711 S.E.2d 607 (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).

11
State v. Mechlinggreen
wva · 2006 · cited in 1 West Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2011–2011
2 sentences

2011See Mechling, 219 W.Va. at 372 , 633 S.E.2d at 317 .

2011See Mechling, 219 W.Va. at 372 , 633 S.E.2d at 317 .

11
Bourjaily v. United Statesgreen
scotus · 1987 · cited in 1 West Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1995–1995
2 sentences

1995As a result of their similarity and because they “stem from the same roots,” 9 both this Court and the United States Supreme Court have held that for purposes of the Confrontation Clause “no independent inquiry into reliability is required when the evidence ‘falls within a firmly rooted hearsay exception.’ ” Bourjaily v. United States, 483 U.S. 171, 183 , 107 S.Ct. 2775, 2782 , 97 L.Ed.2d 144, 157 (1987), quoting Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S. 56, 66 , 100 S.Ct. 2531, 2539 , 65 L.Ed.2d 597, 608 (1980); State v. Walker, 188 W.Va. 661 , 425 S.E.2d 616 (1992).

1995As a result of their similarity and because they “stem from the same roots,” 9 both this Court and the United States Supreme Court have held that for purposes of the Confrontation Clause “no independent inquiry into reliability is required when the evidence ‘falls within a firmly rooted hearsay exception.’ ” Bourjaily v. United States, 483 U.S. 171, 183 , 107 S.Ct. 2775, 2782 , 97 L.Ed.2d 144, 157 (1987), quoting Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S. 56, 66 , 100 S.Ct. 2531, 2539 , 65 L.Ed.2d 597, 608 (1980); State v. Walker, 188 W.Va. 661 , 425 S.E.2d 616 (1992).

11
Mancusi v. Stubbsgreen
scotus · 1972 · cited in 1 West Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1990–1990
2 sentences

1990In other cases, the evidence must be excluded, at least absent a showing of particularized guarantees of trustworthiness.’ [Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S.] at 66 [ 100 S.Ct. 2531 at 2539 , 65 L.Ed.2d 597 ] (footnote omitted); see also Mancusi v. Stubbs, 408 U.S. 204, 213 [ 92 S.Ct. 2308, 2313 , 33 L.Ed.2d 293 ] (1972).” — U.S. at-, 110 S.Ct. at 3146 , 111 L.Ed.2d at 652 .

1990In other cases, the evidence must be excluded, at least absent a showing of particularized guarantees of trustworthiness.’ [Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S.] at 66 [ 100 S.Ct. 2531 at 2539 , 65 L.Ed.2d 597 ] (footnote omitted); see also Mancusi v. Stubbs, 408 U.S. 204, 213 [ 92 S.Ct. 2308, 2313 , 33 L.Ed.2d 293 ] (1972).” — U.S. at-, 110 S.Ct. at 3146 , 111 L.Ed.2d at 652 .

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in West Virginia. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (7)

CaseCitedYears
Crawford v. Washington green
scotus · 2004
1 sentence

2026The Roberts test, the Crawford Court found, “allow[ed] a jury to hear evidence, untested by the adversary process, based on a mere judicial determination of reliability,” and it found that, “[b]y replacing categorical constitutional guarantees with open-ended balancing tests, we do violence to their design.” Crawford, 541 U.S. at 62 , 67–68.

12026–2026
Kowalak v. Scutt green
mied · 2010
1 sentence

2026“It is well established that the excited utterance exception is a firmly rooted hearsay exception for purposes of the Confrontation Clause.” Kowalak v. Scutt, 712 F. Supp. 2d 657 , 686-87 n.2 (E.D.

12026–2026
State v. Phillips green
wva · 1995
2 sentences

2011In a dissent to State v. Phillips, 194 W.Va. 569 , 461 S.E.2d 75 (1995) (Workman, J., dissenting), *626 I admonished the majority for failing to determine, as a preliminary matter, whether certain out-of-court statements by an unavailable witness were hearsay before determining whether those statements were admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule.

2011In a dissent to State v. Phillips, 194 W.Va. 569 , 461 S.E.2d 75 (1995) (Workman, J., dissenting), *626 I admonished the majority for failing to determine, as a preliminary matter, whether certain out-of-court statements by an unavailable witness were hearsay before determining whether those statements were admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule.

12011–2011
State v. Edward Charles L. green
wva · 1990
2 sentences

2003In syllabus point four of State v. Edward Charles L., 183 W.Va. 641 , 398 S.E.2d 123 (1990), this Court explained: *333 The following [is] ... not excluded by the hearsay rule, even though the declar-ant is available as a witness: ... (4) Statements for Purposes of Medical Diagnosis or Treatment.

2003In syllabus point four of State v. Edward Charles L., 183 W.Va. 641 , 398 S.E.2d 123 (1990), this Court explained: *333 The following [is] ... not excluded by the hearsay rule, even though the declar-ant is available as a witness: ... (4) Statements for Purposes of Medical Diagnosis or Treatment.

12003–2003
In the Interest of Moss green
wva · 1982
2 sentences

1997Pt. 7, Matter of Stephfon W. (“ ‘At a transfer hearing, the court must determine the validity of a confession before allowing it to be used against the accused.’ Syllabus Point 6, In the Interest of Moss, 170 W.Va. 543 , 295 S.E.2d 33 (1982).’ Syllabus Point 4, Matter of Mark E.P., 175 W.Va. 83 , 331 S.E.2d 813 (1985).”).

1997Pt. 7, Matter of Stephfon W. (“ ‘At a transfer hearing, the court must determine the validity of a confession before allowing it to be used against the accused.’ Syllabus Point 6, In the Interest of Moss, 170 W.Va. 543 , 295 S.E.2d 33 (1982).’ Syllabus Point 4, Matter of Mark E.P., 175 W.Va. 83 , 331 S.E.2d 813 (1985).”).

11997–1997
Matter of Mark EP green
wva · 1985
2 sentences

1997Pt. 7, Matter of Stephfon W. (“ ‘At a transfer hearing, the court must determine the validity of a confession before allowing it to be used against the accused.’ Syllabus Point 6, In the Interest of Moss, 170 W.Va. 543 , 295 S.E.2d 33 (1982).’ Syllabus Point 4, Matter of Mark E.P., 175 W.Va. 83 , 331 S.E.2d 813 (1985).”).

1997Pt. 7, Matter of Stephfon W. (“ ‘At a transfer hearing, the court must determine the validity of a confession before allowing it to be used against the accused.’ Syllabus Point 6, In the Interest of Moss, 170 W.Va. 543 , 295 S.E.2d 33 (1982).’ Syllabus Point 4, Matter of Mark E.P., 175 W.Va. 83 , 331 S.E.2d 813 (1985).”).

11997–1997
State v. Walker green
wva · 1992
2 sentences

1995As a result of their similarity and because they “stem from the same roots,” 9 both this Court and the United States Supreme Court have held that for purposes of the Confrontation Clause “no independent inquiry into reliability is required when the evidence ‘falls within a firmly rooted hearsay exception.’ ” Bourjaily v. United States, 483 U.S. 171, 183 , 107 S.Ct. 2775, 2782 , 97 L.Ed.2d 144, 157 (1987), quoting Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S. 56, 66 , 100 S.Ct. 2531, 2539 , 65 L.Ed.2d 597, 608 (1980); State v. Walker, 188 W.Va. 661 , 425 S.E.2d 616 (1992).

1995As a result of their similarity and because they “stem from the same roots,” 9 both this Court and the United States Supreme Court have held that for purposes of the Confrontation Clause “no independent inquiry into reliability is required when the evidence ‘falls within a firmly rooted hearsay exception.’ ” Bourjaily v. United States, 483 U.S. 171, 183 , 107 S.Ct. 2775, 2782 , 97 L.Ed.2d 144, 157 (1987), quoting Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S. 56, 66 , 100 S.Ct. 2531, 2539 , 65 L.Ed.2d 597, 608 (1980); State v. Walker, 188 W.Va. 661 , 425 S.E.2d 616 (1992).

11995–1995

Statutes the citing opinions construe

WV § W. Va. Code § 61-2-1 (3)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

TX 87 (1985–2021) OH 81 (1984–2026) IL 66 (1983–2021) CA 53 (1990–2023) WA 41 (1984–2016) WI 35 (1981–2021) KS 33 (1984–2008) NC 32 (1981–2016) CO 31 (1982–2017) AZ 29 (1983–2008) OR 28 (1982–2024) NM 26 (1985–2015) FL 25 (1984–2019) PA 24 (1986–2023) MN 24 (1984–2016) AL 23 (1989–2004) CT 23 (1988–2026) MS 21 (1986–2016) TN 19 (1997–2017) MD 19 (1984–2021) MI 18 (1989–2026) NY 18 (1980–2023) WV 18 (1987–2026) HI 17 (1989–2015) GA 15 (1991–2003) IN 14 (1992–2007) NJ 14 (1989–2016) LA 14 (1984–2013) VA 13 (1999–2012) ID 12 (1981–2009) OK 12 (1985–2023) SD 12 (1983–2005) MA 12 (1986–2015) DE 11 (1985–2026) AR 11 (1991–2008) SC 11 (1997–2014) NH 9 (1992–2025) DC 9 (1981–2009) UT 9 (1989–2020) MO 8 (1988–2021) NE 6 (1990–2013) MT 5 (1987–2024) IA 4 (1982–2001) WY 4 (2000–2015) NV 4 (1998–2006) AK 4 (1985–2015) RI 3 (1990–2010) KY 3 (1993–2001) VT 3 (1986–2020) ME 3 (1987–2024) VI 2 (2005–2011)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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