What is a statement made while under the stress of excitement due to a startling event called?

A statement made while under the stress of excitement due to a startling event is referred to as an excited utterance. This legal term is part of the hearsay exceptions recognized in many jurisdictions. The rationale behind allowing excited utterances as evidence is that the stress and excitement of the moment reduce the likelihood that the statement is reflective of conscious thought or fabrication, making it potentially more reliable and truthful.

Such statements are made in a spontaneous manner, directly following the event that triggered the excitement or stress, capturing the immediate reaction of a person without the influence of reflective thought or the opportunity to fabricate or embellish the details. This contrasts with other types of statements that may involve more considered thoughts or deliberation, which would not be admissible as excited utterances.

The other options, such as a real statement, excited past tense impression, and dying declaration, either do not accurately describe the concept of spontaneous statements made in response to a startling event or refer to entirely different legal principles that do not apply in this context. Dying declarations, for instance, specifically pertain to statements made by a person who believes they are about to die, which is a distinct category and doesn't reflect the immediate emotional response characteristic of an excited utterance.