A significant misperception exists surrounding the criminal charge of drug trafficking in Oklahoma. The critical element that escalates a charge from simple possession to the much more severe offense of trafficking is not proof of sale, distribution, or transportation. It is purely the weight of the substance found in a person's possession.
At its core, the rule against hearsay is designed to ensure that evidence presented in court is reliable, credible, and can be tested for its truthfulness. Ultimately, the hearsay rule and its exceptions represent a careful balancing act. The goal is to filter out unreliable gossip and second-hand accounts while still allowing for the admission of evidence that, despite being hearsay, carries strong indicators of trustworthiness.
