Legal Definitions - Self-serving

In a legal context, a self-serving statement refers to a declaration made by a party involved in a legal dispute that primarily benefits their own position. These statements are typically made outside of formal court testimony and are considered to lack independent evidentiary value because their sole purpose is to advance the speaker's personal interest, often by attempting to strengthen their case, deny wrongdoing, or reduce their perceived fault. As a result, courts generally rule such statements as inadmissible, meaning they cannot be presented as evidence during a trial.

• Example 1: A Business Contract Dispute

  Imagine a small business owner is being sued for failing to deliver a product on time. Before the trial, the owner tells a mutual acquaintance, "I always meet my deadlines; the client kept changing their mind about the specifications, which caused all the delays."

  Explanation: This statement is self-serving because it's made by the business owner (a party in the dispute) outside of court, and its sole purpose is to shift blame and strengthen their defense by portraying the client as responsible for the delay. Without independent evidence to support it, such as emails documenting specification changes, this statement would likely be inadmissible.

• Example 2: A Personal Injury Claim

  Consider a person suing for significant emotional distress after a minor car accident. They tell a friend, "I've been completely unable to sleep or focus since the accident; my life is ruined."

  Explanation: This statement is self-serving because the injured party is describing their own suffering to a third party, likely to emphasize the severity of their distress and bolster their claim for damages. While their feelings might be genuine, this out-of-court declaration, without corroborating medical records, therapist's notes, or expert testimony, would be considered self-serving and generally inadmissible as direct proof of their emotional state in court.

• Example 3: A Criminal Investigation

  Suppose a person is accused of vandalism. When questioned by police before being formally charged, they state, "I couldn't have been near the scene; I was at home watching a movie by myself the entire evening."

  Explanation: This statement is self-serving because the individual is attempting to establish an alibi and deny involvement in the crime. Made outside of court testimony, and without any independent verification (like a witness, security footage, or digital evidence), this declaration is primarily intended to benefit their own position and avoid charges. If the police tried to introduce this statement to prove the person's innocence, it would be considered self-serving and likely inadmissible.