Except as provided by statute, hearsay evidence is inadmissible.
This is the fundamental rule against hearsay. It establishes the general principle that hearsay—as defined in § 90.801—is not allowed in court. The reason for the ban is that such out-of-court statements are considered inherently unreliable because the original speaker was not under oath and is not available to be cross-examined. The crucial phrase, "Except as provided by statute," signals that this is only the starting point. The following statutes, § 90.803 and § 90.804, provide a long and detailed list of exceptions where hearsay IS admissible.
