Under what conditions can a statement against interest be admissible in a criminal case?

In the context of a criminal case, a statement against interest is a declaration made by a person that is against their own penal interest, indicating that it is more likely to be true due to the potential consequences the declarant faces for making such a statement. For such a statement to be admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule, it must be corroborated by additional evidence that supports the trustworthiness of the statement.

This requirement arises because inherently self-damaging statements may not be entirely credible without further verification. The corroborating evidence serves to ensure that the statement is not only against the declarant's interest but also reliable enough to be considered in legal proceedings. This approach balances the need for hearsay exceptions with the need for reliable evidence in court.

The other conditions mentioned in the options do not hold as absolute requirements for admissibility of statements against interest. For instance, the declarant does not need to be available for cross-examination at the time the statement is being admitted, nor must the declarant have financial motives to lie or have witnesses present during the making of the statement.