What is a present sense impression in legal terms?

A present sense impression refers to a statement that describes an event or condition while it is happening or immediately afterward. This type of statement is considered an exception to the hearsay rule because it is made close in time to the event it describes, allowing for more reliability since the person offering the statement is experiencing the event directly. Such immediacy helps to capture the context and details of the event without the influence of reflection or memory degradation that may occur over time.

In contrast, other options provide definitions that do not meet the criteria for a present sense impression. For example, a statement made after a significant delay lacks the immediacy and direct observation that characterize present sense impressions. Reviewing past events based on personal journals involves interpretation and reflection, which detaches the statement from a direct experience of the event. Lastly, testimony given during a formal trial is a structured legal process designed to present evidence and is distinct from the spontaneity and immediacy of a present sense impression, which is often offered informally and outside of trial proceedings.