In court, what is required for a spontaneous declaration to be deemed admissible?

For a spontaneous declaration to be deemed admissible in court, it must be made during a shocking or startling event. This requirement stems from the understanding that such statements are made in the heat of the moment and are often considered more reliable because the individual making the statement is reacting instinctively to a situation that has caused surprise or emotional disturbance.

The rationale behind this admissibility is based on the belief that these declarations typically reflect the speaker's genuine feelings or observations that are less likely to be fabricated, as they occur before there is time for reflection or manipulation of the statement.

Other options do not align with the legal criteria for spontaneous declarations. A witness does not need to be an expert to provide a spontaneous statement; in fact, laypeople commonly provide such declarations. Minors are not singled out in the context of spontaneous declarations since the rules apply to all individuals, regardless of age. Additionally, a spontaneous declaration does not have to be in writing; verbal statements made spontaneously hold the same weight in the eyes of the law, provided they meet the criteria of being made during an event that evokes extreme emotional response.