Inadmissible evidence and hearsay evidence are both terms used in legal contexts, particularly in the context of court proceedings, to determine the admissibility and reliability of certain types of evidence. While they are related, they have distinct meanings and implications:

Inadmissible evidence: Inadmissible evidence refers to any evidence that is not allowed to be presented or considered in court. It is evidence that is deemed legally irrelevant, improper, or unreliable according to the rules of evidence. The rules of evidence vary between jurisdictions but generally aim to ensure fairness, reliability, and the protection of legal rights during court proceedings. Inadmissible evidence may include information that is obtained unlawfully, irrelevant to the case, unreliable, or violates a legal privilege.

Hearsay evidence: Hearsay evidence refers to an out-of-court statement made by someone other than the witness testifying in court, which is offered to prove the truth of the matter being asserted. In simple terms, it involves a witness reporting what someone else said outside of the courtroom, and that statement is then presented as evidence. Hearsay evidence is generally considered less reliable because the original declarant of the statement is not present in court to be cross-examined or challenged. However, there are exceptions to the hearsay rule, and certain statements may be admissible if they fall within recognized exceptions, such as statements made under oath, excited utterances, business records, or statements against interest.

In summary, inadmissible evidence refers to evidence that is not allowed or permitted to be presented in court due to legal reasons, while hearsay evidence refers to statements made by someone outside of the courtroom that are offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted.