Rule 90.802 Hearsay rule

Hearsay is when someone testifies about what another person said outside of court, trying to use that statement as proof that something is true. For example, if a witness says "My friend told me the defendant was there," that would be hearsay.

Florida courts generally will not allow hearsay as evidence in a case. If you want to prove something happened, you need direct evidence or testimony from someone who actually saw or experienced it firsthand.

There are exceptions to this rule, but they are set by law. Other rules in Florida's Evidence Code spell out those specific situations where hearsay can be allowed.