Fla. Stat. § 90.202 — Matters which may be judicially noticed

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A court may take judicial notice of the following matters, to the extent that they are not embraced within s. 90.201:

  1. (1) Special, local, and private acts and resolutions of the Congress of the United States and of the Legislature of this state.
  2. (2) Decisional, constitutional, and public statutory law of every other state, territory, and jurisdiction of the United States.
  3. (3) The laws of foreign nations and of an organization of nations.
  4. (4) Official actions of the legislative, executive, and judicial departments of the United States and of any state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States.
  5. (5) Rules of court of any court of this state or of any court of the United States.
  6. (6) Facts that are not subject to dispute because they are generally known within the territorial jurisdiction of the court.
  7. (7) Facts that are not subject to dispute because they are capable of accurate and ready determination by resort to sources whose accuracy cannot be questioned.
  8. (8) Official seals of governmental agencies and departments of the United States and of any state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States.
  9. (9) Knowledge of the English language and of the legal and common meanings of words and phrases.
  10. (10) Matters of common knowledge.
  11. (11) Generally accepted customs and usages.

Permissive Judicial Notice: While the previous statute lists things a court *must* notice, this statute lists things a court **may** notice at its discretion. These are facts that are so easily verifiable or commonly known that requiring formal proof would be a waste of time.

A judge has the option to take judicial notice of:

• Laws of Other Jurisdictions: This includes laws from other states and foreign countries.

• Official Government Actions: The official acts of any legislative, executive, or judicial branch of government.

• Facts Generally Known Locally: Things that people in the court's jurisdiction would widely know. (Example: The location of a major city landmark).

• Facts Verifiable by Accurate Sources: Facts that can be quickly and easily looked up in a source that cannot reasonably be questioned. (Example: Looking up the date of a historical event on a calendar or in a reputable encyclopedia).

Essentially, if a fact is indisputable, either because it's common knowledge or easily looked up, the judge can save time by simply declaring it to be true.

§ 90.201 § 90.203
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