crawford washington argued november decided march petitioner tried assault attempted murder state sought introduce recorded statement petitioner wife sylvia made police interrogation evidence stabbing sylvia testify trial washington marital privilege petitioner argued admitting evidence violate sixth amendment right confronted witnesses ohio roberts right bar admission unavailable witness statement criminal defendant statement bears adequate reliability test met evidence either falls within firmly rooted hearsay exception bears particularized guarantees trustworthiness trial admitted statement latter ground state upheld conviction deeming statement reliable nearly identical interlocked petitioner statement police ambiguous whether victim drawn weapon petitioner assaulted held state use sylvia statement violated confrontation clause testimonial statements issue indicium reliability sufficient satisfy constitutional demands confrontation pp confrontation clause text alone resolve case turns clause historical background history supports two principles first principal evil clause directed mode criminal procedure particularly use ex parte examinations evidence accused clause primary object testimonial hearsay interrogations law enforcement officers fall squarely within class second framers allowed admission testimonial statements witness appear trial unless unavailable testify defendant prior opportunity english authorities early state cases indicate common law time founding right confronted witnesses amdt naturally read reference right confrontation admitting exceptions established time founding see mattox pp decisions generally remained faithful confrontation clause original meaning see mattox supra pp however said rationales recent decisions see roberts supra roberts test departs historical principles admits statements consisting ex parte testimony upon mere reliability finding pp confrontation clause commands reliability assessed particular manner testing crucible roberts allows jury hear evidence untested adversary process based mere judicial determination reliability thus replacing constitutionally prescribed method assessing reliability wholly foreign one pp roberts framework unpredictable whether statement deemed reliable depends factors judge considers much weight accords however unpardonable vice roberts test demonstrated capacity admit core testimonial statements confrontation clause plainly meant exclude pp instant case demonstration roberts unpredictable inconsistent application also reveals roberts failure interpret constitution way secures intended constraint judicial discretion constitution prescribes procedure determining reliability testimony criminal trials less state courts lacks authority replace one devising pp reversed remanded scalia delivered opinion stevens kennedy souter thomas ginsburg breyer joined rehnquist filed opinion concurring judgment joined michael crawford petitioner washington writ certiorari washington march justice scalia delivered opinion petitioner michael crawford stabbed man allegedly tried rape wife sylvia trial state played jury sylvia statement police describing stabbing even though opportunity washington upheld petitioner conviction determining sylvia statement reliable question presented whether procedure complied sixth amendment guarantee criminal prosecutions accused shall enjoy right confronted witnesses august kenneth lee stabbed apartment police arrested petitioner later night giving petitioner wife miranda warnings detectives interrogated twice petitioner eventually confessed sylvia gone search lee upset earlier incident lee tried rape two found lee apartment fight ensued lee stabbed torso petitioner hand cut petitioner gave following account fight okay ever see anything lee hands think positive okay think mean coulda swore seen goin somethin right everything happened like reachin fiddlin around stuff know think possibility think think pulled somethin grabbed got cut positive mind goes blank things like happen mean remember things wrong remember things make sense later app punctuation added sylvia generally corroborated petitioner story events leading fight account fight arguably different particularly respect whether lee drawn weapon petitioner assaulted kenny anything fight back assault pausing know reached pocket somethin know stabbed saw michael coming lifted hand chest open might went go strike hand something inaudible okay got ta speak okay lifted hand head maybe strike michael hand something put hands put right hand right pocket took step back michael proceeded stab hands like explain open arms hands open fell ran describing subject holding hands open palms toward assailant okay standing open hands talking kenny correct yeah fact yes see anything hands point pausing um um punctuation added state charged petitioner assault attempted murder trial claimed sylvia testify state marital privilege generally bars spouse testifying without spouse consent see rev code washington privilege extend spouse statements admissible hearsay exception see state burden state sought introduce sylvia statements police evidence stabbing noting sylvia admitted led petitioner lee apartment thus facilitated assault state invoked hearsay exception statements penal interest rule evid petitioner countered state law notwithstanding admitting evidence violate federal constitutional right confronted witnesses amdt according description right ohio roberts bar admission unavailable witness statement criminal defendant statement bears adequate reliability meet test evidence must either fall within firmly rooted hearsay exception bear particularized guarantees trustworthiness ibid trial admitted statement latter ground offering several reasons trustworthy sylvia shifting blame rather corroborating husband story acted justified reprisal direct knowledge eyewitness describing recent events questioned neutral law enforcement officer app prosecution played tape jury relied closing arguing damning evidence completely refutes petitioner claim tr jury convicted petitioner assault washington appeals reversed applied test determine whether sylvia statement bore particularized guarantees trustworthiness noted several reasons statement contradicted one previously given made response specific questions one point admitted shut eyes stabbing considered rejected state argument sylvia statement reliable coincided petitioner degree two interlocked determined although two statements agreed events leading stabbing differed issue crucial petitioner claim petitioner version asserts lee may something hand stabbed sylvia version lee grabbing something stabbed app washington reinstated conviction unanimously concluding although sylvia statement fall firmly rooted hearsay exception bore guarantees trustworthiness hen codefendant confession virtually identical interlocks defendant may deemed reliable quoting state rice explained although appeals concluded statements contradictory upon closer inspection appear overlap oth crawfords statements indicate lee possibly grabbing weapon equally unsure event may taken place also equally unsure michael received cut hand leading question ever lee possessed weapon respect overlap either michael sylvia clearly stated lee weapon hand michael simply defending omission interlocks statements makes sylvia statement reliable internal quotation marks omitted granted certiorari determine whether state use sylvia statement violated confrontation clause ii sixth amendment confrontation clause provides criminal prosecutions accused shall enjoy right confronted witnesses held bedrock procedural guarantee applies federal state prosecutions pointer texas noted roberts says unavailable witness statement may admitted long adequate indicia reliability falls within firmly rooted hearsay exception bears particularized guarantees trustworthiness petitioner argues test strays original meaning confrontation clause urges us reconsider constitution text alone resolve case one plausibly read witnesses defendant mean actually testify trial cf woodsides state miss whose statements offered trial see wigmore evidence ed hereinafter wigmore something see infra must therefore turn historical background clause understand meaning right confront one accusers concept dates back roman times see coy iowa herrmann speer facing accuser ancient medieval precursors confrontation clause founding generation immediate source concept however common law english common law long differed continental civil law regard manner witnesses give testimony criminal trials tradition one live testimony subject adversarial testing civil law condones examination private judicial officers see blackstone commentaries laws england nonetheless england times adopted elements practice justices peace officials examined suspects witnesses trial examinations sometimes read lieu live testimony practice occasioned frequent demands prisoner witnesses brought face face stephen history criminal law england cases demands refused see holdsworth history english law ed raleigh case tr throckmorton case tr cf lilburn case tr star chamber pretrial examinations became routine two statutes passed reign queen mary century phil marian bail committal statutes required justices peace examine suspects witnesses felony cases certify results doubtful original purpose examinations produce evidence admissible trial see langbein prosecuting crime renaissance whatever original purpose however came used evidence cases see hale pleas crown resulting adoption continental procedure see holdsworth supra notorious instances examination occurred great political trials centuries one trial sir walter raleigh treason lord cobham raleigh alleged accomplice implicated examination privy council letter raleigh trial read jury raleigh argued cobham lied save cobham absolutely king mercy excuse avail accusing may hope favour jardine criminal trials suspecting cobham recant raleigh demanded judges call appear arguing proof common law witness jury let cobham let speak call accuser face st judges refused despite raleigh protestations tried spanish inquisition jury convicted raleigh sentenced death one raleigh trial judges later lamented justice england never degraded injured condemnation sir walter raleigh jardine supra series statutory judicial reforms english law developed right confrontation limited abuses example treason statutes required witnesses confront accused face face arraignment car see hale supra courts meanwhile developed relatively strict rules unavailability admitting examinations witness demonstrably unable testify person see lord morley case tr hale supra stephen supra several authorities also stated suspect confession admitted others implicated see hawkins pleas crown pp leach ed hale supra gilbert evidence lofft ed cf tong case kel eng treason see king westbeer leach eng one recurring question whether admissibility unavailable witness pretrial examination depended whether defendant opportunity king bench answered question affirmative widely reported misdemeanor libel case king paine mod eng ruled even though witness dead examination admissible defendant present taken mayor lost benefit eng question also debated length infamous proceedings sir john fenwick bill attainder fenwick counsel objected admitting examination witness spirited away ground fenwick opportunity see fenwick case tr powys hat offer something goodman hath sworn examined sir present privy opportunity given person conceive offered evidence shower deposition person read though beyond sea unless cases party read privy examination might ur constitution person shall see accuser examination nonetheless admitted closely divided vote several present opined rules procedure apply parliamentary attainder proceedings one speaker even admitting evidence normally inadmissible see williamson chancellor exchequer wigmore fenwick condemned proceedings must burned general consciousness vital importance rule securing right cf carmell texas paine settled rule requiring prior opportunity matter common law doubts remained whether marian statutes prescribed exception felony cases statutes identify circumstances examinations admissible see phil inferred prior opportunity required see westbeer supra eng compare fenwick case st sloane musgrave many expressed view acknowledged meant statutes derogation common law see king eriswell eng grose dicta eng kenyon compare gilbert evidence admissible force nevertheless year sixth amendment ratified courts applying rule even examinations justices peace felony cases see king dingler leach eng king woodcock leach eng cf king radbourne leach eng wigmore early treatises confirm requirement see starkie evidence peake evidence ed parliament amended statutes make requirement explicit see change merely introduced terms already afforded defendant equitable construction law queen beeston eng eq crim app jervis controversial examination practices also used colonies early century example virginia council protested governor privately issued several commissions examine witnesses particular men ex parte complaining person accused admitted confronted defend defamers memorial concerning maladministrations excellency francis nicholson reprinted english historical documents douglas ed decade revolution england gave jurisdiction stamp act offenses admiralty courts followed rather procedures thus routinely took testimony deposition private judicial examination see geo pollitt right confrontation history modern dress pub colonial representatives protested act subverted rights extending jurisdiction courts admiralty beyond ancient limits resolutions stamp act congress reprinted sources liberties perry cooper eds john adams defending merchant admiralty case argued examinations witnesses upon interrogatories civil law interrogatories unknown common law englishmen common lawyers aversion abhorrence draft argument sewall hancock legal papers john adams wroth zobel eds many declarations rights adopted around time revolution guaranteed right confrontation see virginia declaration rights pennsylvania declaration rights delaware declaration rights maryland declaration rights north carolina declaration rights vermont declaration rights ch massachusetts declaration rights new hampshire bill rights reprinted schwartz bill rights documentary history proposed federal constitution however massachusetts ratifying convention abraham holmes objected omission precisely ground lead practices mode trial altogether indetermined whether defendant allowed confront witnesses advantage yet told shall find congress possessed powers enabling institute judicatories little less inauspicious certain tribunal spain inquisition debates federal constitution elliot ed similarly prominent antifederalist writing pseudonym federal farmer criticized use written evidence objecting omission vicinage right nothing essential cross examining witnesses generally triers facts question ritten evidence almost useless must frequently taken ex parte seldom leads proper discovery truth lee letter iv federal farmer reprinted schwartz supra first congress responded including confrontation clause proposal became sixth amendment early state decisions shed light upon original understanding right state webb per curiam decided mere three years adoption sixth amendment held depositions read accused taken presence rejecting broader reading english authorities held rule common law founded natural justice man shall prejudiced evidence liberty cross examine similarly state campbell south carolina highest law excluded deposition taken coroner absence accused held decide question established rules common law dissenting voice notwithstanding death witness whatever respectability taking depositions solemnity occasion weight testimony depositions ex parte therefore utterly incompetent said one indispensable conditions implicitly guaranteed state constitution prosecutions carried conviction accused witnesses confronted subjected personal examination ibid many decisions effect early cases went far hold prior testimony inadmissible criminal cases even accused previous opportunity see finn commonwealth state atkins per curiam courts rejected view reaffirming admissibility depended prior opportunity see macomb cas cc state houser mo kendrick state bostick state commonwealth richards mass state hill hill johnston state treatises confirm rule see bishop criminal procedure ed cooley constitutional limitations iii history supports two inferences meaning sixth amendment first principal evil confrontation clause directed mode criminal procedure particularly use ex parte examinations evidence accused practices crown deployed notorious treason cases like raleigh marian statutes invited english law assertion right confrontation meant prohibit rhetoric decried sixth amendment must interpreted focus mind accordingly reject view confrontation clause applies force testimony application statements introduced trial depends upon law evidence time wigmore accord dutton evans harlan concurring result leaving regulation statements law evidence render confrontation clause powerless prevent even flagrant inquisitorial practices raleigh perfectly free confront read cobham confession focus also suggests hearsay implicates sixth amendment core concerns overheard remark might unreliable evidence thus good candidate exclusion hearsay rules bears little resemblance abuses confrontation clause targeted hand ex parte examinations might sometimes admissible modern hearsay rules framers certainly condoned text confrontation clause reflects focus applies witnesses accused words bear testimony webster american dictionary english language testimony turn typically solemn declaration affirmation made purpose establishing proving fact ibid accuser makes formal statement government officers bears testimony sense person makes casual remark acquaintance constitutional text like history underlying right confrontation thus reflects especially acute concern specific type statement various formulations core class testimonial statements exist ex parte testimony functional equivalent material affidavits custodial examinations prior testimony defendant unable similar pretrial statements declarants reasonably expect used prosecutorially brief petitioner extrajudicial statements contained formalized testimonial materials affidavits depositions prior testimony confessions white illinois thomas joined scalia concurring part concurring judgment statements made circumstances lead objective witness reasonably believe statement available use later trial brief national association criminal defense lawyers et al amici curiae formulations share common nucleus define clause coverage various levels abstraction around regardless precise articulation statements qualify definition example ex parte testimony preliminary hearing statements taken police officers course interrogations also testimonial even narrow standard police interrogations bear striking resemblance examinations justices peace england statements sworn testimony absence oath dispositive cobham examination unsworn see jardine criminal trials yet raleigh trial long thought paradigmatic confrontation violation see campbell marian statutes witnesses typically put oath suspects see hale pleas crown yet hawkins others went way caution unsworn confessions admissible anyone confessor see supra interrogators police officers rather magistrates change picture either justices peace conducting examinations marian statutes magistrates understand office today essentially investigative prosecutorial function see stephen criminal law england langbein prosecuting crime renaissance england professional police force century see stephen supra surprising government officers performed investigative functions associated primarily police involvement government officers production testimonial evidence presents risk whether officers police justices peace sum even sixth amendment solely concerned testimonial hearsay primary object interrogations law enforcement officers fall squarely within historical record also supports second proposition framers allowed admission testimonial statements witness appear trial unless unavailable testify defendant prior opportunity text sixth amendment suggest exceptions confrontation requirement developed courts rather right confronted witnesses amdt naturally read reference right confrontation common law admitting exceptions established time founding see mattox cf houser english authorities reveal common law conditioned admissibility absent witness examination unavailability prior opportunity sixth amendment therefore incorporates limitations numerous early state decisions applying test confirm principles received part common law read historical sources say prior opportunity merely sufficient rather necessary condition admissibility testimonial statements suggest requirement dispositive merely one several ways establish reliability deny chief justice notes always exceptions general rule exclusion hearsay evidence post several become well established see wigmore brief amicus curiae scant evidence exceptions invoked admit testimonial statements accused criminal hearsay exceptions covered statements nature testimonial example business records statements furtherance conspiracy infer framers thought exceptions apply even prior testimony cf lilly virginia plurality opinion ccomplices confessions inculpate criminal defendant within firmly rooted exception hearsay rule iv case law largely consistent two principles leading early decision example involved deceased witness prior trial testimony mattox allowing statement admitted relied fact defendant first trial adequate opportunity confront witness substance constitutional protection preserved prisoner advantage seeing witness face face subjecting ordeal law says shall circumstances deprived later cases conform mattox holding prior trial preliminary hearing testimony admissible defendant adequate opportunity see mancusi stubbs california green pointer texas even defendant opportunity excluded testimony government established unavailability witness see barber page cf motes similarly excluded accomplice confessions defendant opportunity see roberts russell per curiam bruton douglas alabama contrast considered reliability factors beyond prior opportunity hearsay statement issue testimonial see dutton evans plurality opinion even recent cases outcomes hew closely traditional line ohio roberts admitted statements made unwittingly fbi informant applying general test make prior indispensable lee illinois state relies contrary rejected state attempt admit accomplice confession state argued confession admissible interlocked defendant dealt argument rejecting premise holding discrepancies statements insignificant codefendant confession may admitted respondent argues logical inference statement discrepancies statements insignificant codefendant statement may admitted brief respondent merely possible inference inevitable one draw lee meant authoritatively announce exception previously unknown jurisprudence interlocking confessions done oblique manner precedent interlocking confessions addressed entirely different question whether limiting instruction cured prejudice codefendants admitting defendant confession joint trial see parker randolph plurality opinion abrogated cruz new york cases thus remained faithful framers understanding testimonial statements witnesses absent trial admitted declarant unavailable defendant prior opportunity although results decisions generally faithful original meaning confrontation clause said rationales roberts conditions admissibility hearsay evidence whether falls firmly rooted hearsay exception bears particularized guarantees trustworthiness test departs historical principles identified two respects first broad applies mode analysis whether hearsay consists ex parte testimony often results close constitutional scrutiny cases far removed core concerns clause time however test narrow admits statements consist ex parte testimony upon mere finding reliability malleable standard often fails protect paradigmatic confrontation violations members academics suggested revise doctrine reflect accurately original understanding clause see lilly breyer concurring white thomas joined scalia concurring part concurring judgment amar constitution criminal procedure friedman confrontation search basic principles geo offer two proposals first apply confrontation clause testimonial statements leaving remainder regulation hearsay law thus eliminating overbreadth referred second impose absolute bar statements testimonial absent prior opportunity thus eliminating excessive narrowness referred white considered first proposal rejected although analysis case casts doubt holding need definitively resolve whether survives decision today sylvia crawford statement testimonial definition case however squarely implicate second proposal testimonial statements involved think framers meant leave sixth amendment protection vagaries rules evidence much less amorphous notions reliability certainly none authorities discussed acknowledges general reliability exception rule admitting statements deemed reliable judge fundamentally odds right confrontation sure clause ultimate goal ensure reliability evidence procedural rather substantive guarantee commands evidence reliable reliability assessed particular manner testing crucible clause thus reflects judgment desirability reliable evidence point little dissent reliability best determined cf blackstone commentaries open examination witnesses much conducive clearing truth hale history analysis common law england adversarial testing beats bolts truth much better roberts test allows jury hear evidence untested adversary process based mere judicial determination reliability thus replaces constitutionally prescribed method assessing reliability wholly foreign one respect different exceptions confrontation clause make claim surrogate means assessing reliability example rule forfeiture wrongdoing accept extinguishes confrontation claims essentially equitable grounds purport alternative means determining reliability see reynolds raleigh trial involved sorts reliability determinations roberts authorizes face raleigh repeated demands confrontation prosecution responded many arguments applying roberts might invoke today cobham statements st made heat passion extracted upon hopes promise pardon plausible framers objection trial raleigh judges properly weigh factors sentencing death rather problem judges refused allow raleigh confront cobham try expose accusation lie dispensing confrontation testimony obviously reliable akin dispensing jury trial defendant obviously guilty sixth amendment prescribes legacy roberts courts vindicates framers wisdom rejecting general reliability exception framework unpredictable fails provide meaningful protection even core confrontation violations reliability amorphous entirely subjective concept countless factors bearing whether statement reliable balancing test applied appeals representative see people farrell test whether statement deemed reliable depends heavily factors judge considers much weight accords courts wind attaching significance opposite facts example colorado held statement reliable inculpation defendant detailed fourth circuit found statement reliable portion implicating another fleeting photogrammetric data virginia appeals found statement reliable witness custody charged crime thus making statement obviously penal interest see nowlin commonwealth app wisconsin appeals found statement reliable witness custody suspect see state bintz wi app finally colorado one case found statement reliable given immediately events issue farrell supra another case found statement reliable two years elapsed stevens people unpardonable vice roberts test however unpredictability demonstrated capacity admit core testimonial statements confrontation clause plainly meant exclude despite plurality speculation lilly highly unlikely accomplice confessions implicating accused survive roberts courts continue routinely admit see photogrammetric data supra farrell supra stevens supra taylor commonwealth state hawkins wl ohio bintz supra people lawrence app state jones app state marshall ohio app people schutte app people thomas app cf nowlin supra witness confessed related crime people campbell app one recent study found lilly appellate courts admitted accomplice statements authorities cases time kirst appellate answers confrontation questions lilly virginia syracuse rev courts invoked roberts admit sorts plainly testimonial statements despite absence opportunity see aguilar plea allocution showing existence conspiracy centracchio dolah petrillo moskowitz gallego papajohn grand jury testimony thomas fed appx bintz supra prior trial testimony state mcneill app add insult injury courts admit untested testimonial statements find reliability factors make statements testimonial noted earlier one relied fact witness statement made police custody pending charges theory made statement clearly penal interest thus reliable nowlin supra courts routinely rely fact prior statement given oath judicial proceedings gallego supra plea allocution papajohn supra grand jury testimony inculpating statements given testimonial setting antidote confrontation problem rather trigger makes clause demands urgent enough point usual safeguards adversary process attend statement single safeguard missing one confrontation clause demands roberts failings full display proceedings sylvia crawford made statement police custody potential suspect case indeed told whether released depend ed investigation continues app response often leading questions police detectives implicated husband lee stabbing least arguably undermined claim despite trial admitted statement listing several reasons reliable opinion reversing appeals listed several reasons statement reliable finally state relied exclusively interlocking character statement disregarded every factor lower courts considered case thus demonstration roberts unpredictable inconsistent application courts also made assumptions might well undermined trial example stated sylvia crawford statement reliable eyewitness direct knowledge events sylvia one point told police shut eyes really watch part fight shock app trial also buttressed reliability finding claiming sylvia questioned law enforcement thus questioner neutral someone inclined advance interests shade version truth unfavorably toward defendant framers astounded learn ex parte testimony admitted criminal defendant elicited neutral government officers even assessment officer motives accurate says nothing sylvia perception situation reveal state gave dispositive weight interlocking nature two statements ambiguous whether lee weapon claim two statements equally ambiguous hard accept petitioner statement ambiguous sense lingering doubts recollection coulda swore seen goin somethin right everything happened ut positive sylvia statement hand truly inscrutable since key timing detail simply assumed leading question asked kenny anything fight back assault moreover sylvia specifically said lee nothing hands stabbed petitioner asked prosecutor obviously share view sylvia statement ambiguous called damning evidence completely refutes petitioner claim tr way knowing whether jury agreed prosecutor far obviating need interlocking ambiguity two statements made imperative tested tease truth readily concede resolve case simply reweighing reliability factors roberts finding sylvia crawford statement falls short view one rare cases result improbable reveals fundamental failure part interpret constitution way secures intended constraint judicial discretion moreover reverse washington decision conducting reliability analysis perpetuate avoid sixth amendment condemns constitution prescribes procedure determining reliability testimony criminal trials less state courts lack authority replace one devising doubt courts acting utmost good faith found reliability framers however content indulge assumption knew judges like government officers always trusted safeguard rights people likes dread lord jeffreys yet distant memory loath leave much discretion judicial hands cf amdt criminal jury trial amdt civil jury trial ring arizona scalia concurring replacing categorical constitutional guarantees balancing tests violence design vague standards manipulable might small concern assault prosecutions like one framers eye toward politically charged cases like raleigh great state trials impartiality even highest levels judiciary might clear difficult imagine roberts providing meaningful protection circumstances nontestimonial hearsay issue wholly consistent framers design afford flexibility development hearsay law roberts approach exempted statements confrontation clause scrutiny altogether testimonial evidence issue however sixth amendment demands common law required unavailability prior opportunity leave another day effort spell comprehensive definition testimonial whatever else term covers applies minimum prior testimony preliminary hearing grand jury former trial police interrogations modern practices closest kinship abuses confrontation clause directed case state admitted sylvia testimonial statement petitioner despite fact opportunity alone sufficient make violation sixth amendment roberts notwithstanding decline mine record search indicia reliability testimonial statements issue indicium reliability sufficient satisfy constitutional demands one constitution actually prescribes confrontation judgment washington reversed case remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion ordered michael crawford petitioner washington writ certiorari washington march chief justice rehnquist justice joins concurring judgment dissent decision overrule ohio roberts believe adoption new interpretation confrontation clause backed sufficiently persuasive reasoning overrule precedent decision casts mantle uncertainty future criminal trials federal state courts means necessary decide present case distinction testimonial nontestimonial statements contrary claim better rooted history current doctrine common law although courts far consistent statements made someone accused taken oath unlike ex parte depositions affidavits generally considered substantive evidence upon conviction see king brasier leach eng see also langbein origins adversary criminal trial gilbert evidence ed testimonial statements accusatory statements police officers likely disapproved century necessarily resembled ex parte affidavits depositions reasons likely made see king woodcock leach eng noting statement taken justice peace may admitted evidence unless taken oath without oath one usually get second step whether confrontation required thus agree framers mainly concerned sworn affidavits depositions follow similarly concerned broader category testimonial statements see webster american dictionary english language defining testimony solemn declaration affirmation made purpose establishing proving fact affirmation judicial proceedings may verbal written must oath emphasis added far tell unsworn testimonial statements treated differently common law nontestimonial statements seems classification statements testimonial beyond sworn affidavits depositions somewhat arbitrary merely proxy framers might intended evidence liberally admitted substantive evidence like therefore see reason distinction draws preferable precedent starting chief justice marshall interpretation circuit justice years ratification sixth amendment burr cas cc continuing cases late century mattox kirby today white illinois never drawn distinction testimonial nontestimonial statements matter neither aware see little value trading precedent imprecise approximation late date also convinced confrontation clause categorically requires exclusion testimonial statements although many confrontation clauses recent vintage interpreted regularity state cases recently followed ratification sixth amendment uniform cites state cases early century took stringent view right confrontation prohibiting former testimony even witness subjected see ante citing finn commonwealth state atkins per curiam english law time framing entirely consistent treatment testimonial evidence generally ex parte affidavits depositions excluded notes even proposition universal see king eriswell eng affirming equally divided admission ex parte examination declarant unavailable testify king westbeer leach eng noting admission ex parte affidavit see also hale pleas crown noting statements accusers witnesses taken oath admitted evidence declarant dead able travel wigmore notes sworn examinations witnesses justices peace certain cases excluded end wigmore sworn statements witnesses coroners became excluded statute see ibid respect unsworn testimonial statements indication hearsay rule developed courts ever excluded statements otherwise fell within firmly rooted exception see eriswell supra buller ashhurst eng concluding ex parte examination admissible exception hearsay rule declaration party state condition dying declarations one example see woodcock supra eng king reason tr rules regarding admissibility statements still developed see supra always exceptions general rule exclusion clear framers categorically wanted eliminate ones one thing trace right confrontation back roman empire quite another conclude right absolutely excludes large category evidence odd conclusion indeed think framers created rule respect admissibility testimonial statements law time fully settled find exceptions exclusion clause denigrate suggests chief justice marshall stated confrontation clause know principle preservation concerned know none undermining life liberty property might endangered therefore incumbent courts watchful every inroad principle truly important burr yet recognized right absolute acknowledging exceptions exclusionary component hearsay rule considered inroad right confrontation introduced see ibid exceptions confrontation always derived experience statements reliable testimony due circumstances made recognized example statements simply replicated even declarant testifies matters inadi statements made declarant accused partners illegal enterprise statements unlikely false admission actually furthers clause mission accuracy process criminal trials quoting tennessee street internal quotation marks omitted similar reasons justify introduction spontaneous declarations see white statements made course procuring medical services see dying declarations see kirby supra countless hearsay exceptions statement might testimonial nothing undermine wisdom one exceptions indeed tool used flesh truth empty procedure see kentucky stincer right protected confrontation clause thus essentially right designed promote reliability functions criminal trial see also maryland craig central concern confrontation clause ensure reliability evidence criminal defendant subjecting rigorous testing context adversary proceeding trier fact given instance may superfluous may sufficiently clear instance statement offered free enough risk inaccuracy untrustworthiness test work supererogation wigmore case noted years ago law wisdom declares rights public shall wholly sacrificed order incidental benefit may preserved accused mattox creating immutable category excluded evidence adds little trial function ignores longstanding guidance choosing path course overrules ohio roberts case decided nearly quarter century ago stare decisis inexorable command area constitutional law see payne tennessee large preferred course promotes evenhanded predictable consistent development legal principles fosters reliance judicial decisions contributes actual perceived integrity judicial process making appraisal doubt new rule indeed right one surely weighed balance though vested interests involved unresolved questions future everyday criminal trials throughout country surely counsel sort caution grandly declares leave another day effort spell comprehensive definition ante thousands federal prosecutors tens thousands state prosecutors need answers beyond specific kinds testimony lists see covered new rule need months years rules criminal evidence applied every day courts throughout country parties left dark manner credit analysis testimony excludes least hearsay exceptions business records official records see ante hold otherwise require numerous additional witnesses without apparent gain process likewise credit implicit recognition mistaken application new rule courts guess wrong scope rule subject analysis see ante palliatives believe mistaken change course change course least necessary reverse judgment washington case result reaches follows inexorably roberts progeny without need overruling line cases idaho wright held statement admissible simply truthfulness statement corroborated evidence trial notes ante washington gave decisive weight interlocking nature two statements reliability factors hypothesized ante required reverse judgment citation idaho wright supra suffice reasons stated believe far preferable course take footnotes rejected state argument guarantees trustworthiness unnecessary since petitioner waived confrontation rights invoking marital privilege reasoned forcing defendant choose marital privilege confronting spouse presents untenable hobson choice state challenged holding state also challenged appeals conclusion reached state confrontation violation occurred harmless express opinion matters question whether requirement prior opportunity applied well statements taken coroner also authorized marian statutes see wigmore requirement never came conceded england peake evidence ed finding point expressly decided reported case state houser mo may cases authority cases questioned even england ablest writers common law state campbell point plainly adjudged even english cases whatever english rule several early american authorities flatly rejected special status coroner statements see houser supra campbell supra cooley constitutional limitations sources especially raleigh trial refute chief justice assertion post opinion concurring judgment right confrontation particularly concerned unsworn testimonial statements even claims general bar unsworn hearsay made application confrontation clause unsworn testimonial statements moot point merely change focus direct evidence original meaning sixth amendment reasonable inference find implausible provision concededly condemned trial sworn ex parte affidavit thought trial unsworn ex parte affidavit perfectly claim unsworn testimony jurors disbelieve cf post belied existence general bar unsworn testimony attempt determine application constitutional provision phenomenon exist time adoption allegedly admissible unsworn testimony involves degree estimation chief justice calls use proxy post hardly reason make estimation accurate possible even chief justice mistakenly asserts direct evidence sixth amendment originally applied unsworn testimony doubt application use term interrogation colloquial rather technical legal sense cf rhode island innis various definitions testimonial exist one imagine various definitions interrogation need select among case sylvia recorded statement knowingly given response structured police questioning qualifies conceivable definition chief justice claims english law treatment testimonial statements inconsistent time framing post examples cites relate examinations marian statutes explained extent marian examinations admissible statutes derogated common law see supra moreover even view rejected respect examinations explicitly king woodcock leach eng king dingler leach eng implication king radbourne leach eng none chief justice citations proves otherwise king westbeer leach eng decided earlier taken accurate statement law given directly contrary holdings woodcock dingler hale treatise older still far ambiguous point see hale pleas crown espoused requirement prior opportunity thought entirely consistent hale views see fenwick case tr musgrave timely authority chief justice cites king eriswell eng even decision provides substantial support eriswell criminal case crown suit inhabitants town charge care insane pauper eng relevant judges discuss marian statutes dicta one buller defended admission pauper statement residence basis authorities purportedly held ex parte marian examinations admissible eng evidence writers quick point however authorities said thing see peake evidence buller reported said settled lev kel certainly nothing kind appears books starkie evidence buller refers radbourne case case deposition taken hearing prisoner course question arise citation omitted two judges grose kenyon responded buller argument distinguishing marian examinations statutory exception rule context tenor remarks suggest merely assumed accuracy buller premise without independent consideration least respect examinations justices peace see eng grose eng kenyon fact case reporter specifically notes assumption erroneous see eng notably buller position pauper examinations resoundingly rejected decade later king ferry frystone east eng point since considered clear admissibility evidence abandoned counsel without argument suggesting views evidence mainstream time framing short none chief justice sources shows law unsettled even examinations justices peace marian statutes importantly however even statutory rule doubt numerous early decisions make abundantly clear sixth amendment incorporated right confrontation exceptions marian statutes supposedly carved see supra see also supra coroner statements rule settled since paine see king paine mod eng one deviation found involves dying declarations existence exception general rule criminal hearsay law disputed see mattox king reason tr jardine criminal trials cooley constitutional limitations gilbert evidence lofft ed see also heller sixth amendment asserting recognized criminal hearsay exception common law although many dying declarations may testimonial authority admitting even clearly see woodcock supra eng reason supra peake evidence cf radbourne supra eng need decide case whether sixth amendment incorporates exception testimonial dying declarations exception must accepted historical grounds sui generis agree chief justice fact hat statement might testimonial nothing undermine wisdom one hearsay exceptions post involvement government officers production testimony eye toward trial presents unique potential prosecutorial abuse fact borne time throughout history framers keenly familiar consideration evaporate testimony happens fall within broad modern hearsay exception even exception might justifiable circumstances one case arguably tension rule requiring prior opportunity proffered statement testimonial white illinois involved inter alia statements child victim investigating police officer admitted spontaneous declarations questionable whether testimonial statements ever admissible ground extent hearsay exception spontaneous declarations existed required statements made immediat ely upon hurt received declarant time devise contrive thing advantage thompson trevanion skin eng case question presented white whether confrontation clause imposed unavailability requirement types hearsay issue see holding address question whether certain statements testimonial excluded even witness unavailable took given testimony properly falls within relevant hearsay exceptions chief justice complains prior decisions never drawn distinction like one draw citing particular mattox kirby burr cas cc marshall post nothing cases contradicts holding way mattox kirby allowed excluded evidence depending whether defendant opportunity mattox supra kirby supra two cases extrapolate general class evidence criterion applied prevent us burr disagree chief justice reading case although chief justice marshall made one passing reference confrontation clause case fundamentally hearsay rules governing statements furtherance conspiracy principle truly important inroad introduced rule evidence rejects mere hearsay testimony see nothing opinion concedes exceptions confrontation clause exclusion testimonial statements use term chief justice fails identify single case aside one minor arguable exception see supra admitted testimonial statements based indicia reliability prior opportunity nothing else test announce empirically accurate explanation results cases reached finally reiterate declarant appears trial confrontation clause places constraints use prior testimonial statements see california green therefore irrelevant reliability statements replicated even declarant testifies matters post quoting inadi clause bar admission statement long declarant present trial defend explain clause also bar use testimonial statements purposes establishing truth matter asserted see tennessee street acknowledge chief justice objection post refusal articulate comprehensive definition case cause interim uncertainty hardly worse status quo see supra cases cited difference roberts test inherently therefore permanently unpredictable footnotes modern scholars concluded time founding law yet fully develop exclusionary component hearsay rule attendant exceptions thus hearsay still often heard jury see gallanis rise modern evidence law iowa rev mosteller remaking confrontation clause hearsay doctrine challenge child sexual abuse prosecutions rev many cases hearsay alone generally considered sufficient support conviction rather used corroborate sworn witness testimony see wigmore evidence pp chadbourn rev hereinafter wigmore noting early testimonial nontestimonial hearsay permissible corroborate direct testimony see also langbein origins adversary criminal trial even unsworn hearsay proffered substantive evidence however predominance oath society juries largely skeptical see landsman rise contentious spirit adversary procedure eighteenth century england cornell rev describing late sentiments langbein criminal trial lawyers chi rev century unsworn hearsay simply held much lesser value sworn affidavits depositions gilbert noted hearsay evidence though person testify hath heard upon oath yet person spake upon oath man said thing sworn believed justice credit derived attestation evidence rise higher fountain whence flows first speech without oath oath speech makes bare speaking value justice things determined solemnities oath confessions taken oath admissible confessor obvious principles justice policy prohibited accused attesting statements gilbert evidence lofft ed still unsworn confessions considered evidence confessor points see ante cases treason insufficient support even conviction confessor hawkins pleas crown leach ed fact prosecution introduced unsworn examination sir walter raleigh trial notes see ante says little distinction testimonial nontestimonial statements precedent indicates unsworn testimonial statements nontestimonial statements raise confrontation concerns admitted evidence see lilly virginia lee illinois contend otherwise point confrontation clause reach statements rather far clear courts late century treated unsworn statements even testimonial ones sworn statements