Hearsay is a legal term that refers to information presented in court that a witness did not directly experience. Instead, the witness reports what someone else said outside of the courtroom. This type of evidence is generally not allowed in court because it cannot be verified for accuracy, making it unreliable. In legal proceedings, hearsay can be problematic as it may lead to misunderstandings or false conclusions. Courts prefer direct evidence, where witnesses share their own observations or experiences. Exceptions to the hearsay rule exist, but they are limited and specific, often involving situations where the original speaker's statement is deemed trustworthy.