Rule 804(b)(3) addresses statements that are made by a person who has a financial or reputational interest adverse to their own?

• A. Dying Declaration
• B. Statement Against Interest
• C. Hearsay Within Hearsay
• D. Unavailability and Waivers

Answer: (B)

Rule 804(b)(3) is the statement against interest exception. It applies when the declarant is unavailable and makes a statement that is against the declarant’s own pecuniary, proprietary, or reputational interests. Because a person is unlikely to lie to harm themselves in these ways, such statements are considered trustworthy enough to admit, provided the declarant is unavailable. In a criminal case, there must also be corroboration or other circumstances indicating trustworthiness.

A dying declaration is a different hearsay exception that applies when the declarant believes death is imminent. Hearsay within hearsay refers to a layered chain of hearsay statements. Unavailability and waivers describe broader issues about when a witness is unavailable and about waivers, not the specific exception.