Statement against penal interest

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In U.S. law, a statement against penal interest is something a person says that would expose them to criminal liability if it were true. It’s the criminal version of a statement against interest—something a person wouldn’t normally say because it puts them at a disadvantage. In some cases, these statements can be admitted as evidence even though they are hearsay, if they are against the speaker’s own penal interest and are trustworthy. The rules depend on the situation, such as whether the person who made the statement is available to testify.