Evidence: admissibility of statements.

Existing law, known as the "hearsay rule," provides that, at a hearing, evidence of a statement that was made other than by a witness while testifying at the hearing and that is offered to prove the truth of the matter stated is inadmissible. Existing law also provides exceptions to the hearsay rule to permit the admission of specified kinds of evidence. Among other exceptions, evidence of a statement or other conduct by a declarant that is inconsistent with a statement by that declarant received in evidence as hearsay evidence is not inadmissible for the purpose of attacking the credibility of the declarant, as specified. This bill would prohibit a criminal defendant, for the purpose of attacking his or her own credibility as a hearsay declarant, from introducing evidence of a statement or other conduct that is inconsistent with a statement made by the criminal defendant that has been received in evidence as hearsay evidence.