Verified by Licensed Bail Bond Professionals•Last updated: March 2026
Definition: An out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Hearsay is generally inadmissible in Florida courts, but there are numerous exceptions defined by statute.
Category: Evidence · Statute: F.S. 90.801-90.806 · Source: Florida Legislature
Why Hearsay Is Excluded
Hearsay is considered unreliable because the person who made the original statement is not in court, cannot be cross-examined, and the jury cannot assess their credibility.
Common Hearsay Exceptions
- Excited utterance (F.S. 90.803(2)) — Statements made during a startling event
- Present sense impression (F.S. 90.803(1))
- Statements for medical diagnosis (F.S. 90.803(4))
- Business records (F.S. 90.803(6))
- Public records (F.S. 90.803(8))
- Dying declarations (F.S. 90.804(2)(b))
- Prior inconsistent statements (F.S. 90.801(2)(a))