What does "unavailable" mean in a legal context?

In a legal context, the term "unavailable" refers to situations where a declarant, or a person who makes a statement, cannot be present to testify in court for various legitimate reasons. This can encompass several scenarios:

• A declarant may choose not to testify, often invoking their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination or claiming other privileges.

• There are instances where a declarant's memory has faded and they can no longer reliably provide the testimony they once could, thus making them effectively unavailable.

• Specific circumstances such as death, illness, or even legal privileges can prohibit a declarant from being present in court to give their testimony.

These distinct situations demonstrate the broader meaning of "unavailable," which combines personal choice, diminished capacity due to memory loss, and external circumstances preventing attendance. Therefore, selecting that "unavailable" includes all these aspects appropriately captures the comprehensive definition of the term in a legal setting.