Public Records Law and Legal Definition
Public records are an exception to the hearsay rule, which prohibits introduction of out-of-court statements of unavailable witnesses into evidence when offered for truthfulness. The Federal Rules of Evidence allows three different types of public records and reports (subject to certain exceptions):
- Admission of a government agency’s records of its own activities, if offered to show that those activities occurred.
- Written records of observations made by public officials are admissible if: (1) the observation was made in the line of duty; and (2) the official had a duty to report those observations.
- "Factual findings" resulting from investigations, except when used against a criminal defendant.
Legal Definition list
Related Legal Terms
- Abuse of Public Office
- Acta Publica
- Ad Vindictam Publicam
- Agency Records [Aeronautics and Space]
- Agency Records [Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board]
- All-Purpose Public Figure
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants [AICPA]
- Approved Provider [Public Safety]
- Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
- Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials - International
