Res gestae is a term found in substantive and procedural American jurisprudence and English law. In American substantive law, it refers to the start-to-end period of a felony. In American procedural law, it refers to a former exception to the hearsay rule for statements made spontaneously or as part of an act.

What is meant by the term res gestae?

: things done especially : the facts that form the environment of a litigated issue and are admissible in evidence.

What is an example of res gestae?

Latin: things done. A peculiar rule, used mostly in criminal cases, which allows hearsay if the statement is made during the excitement of the litigated event. For example, the words "stick 'em up!" used during an armed robbery would be admissible hearsay under the res gestae rule.