Florida/Georgia Personal Injury & Workers Compensation

You're probably overthinking it. Call a lawyer.

Call Now: 904-383-7448
Florida Statute 90.616 - Full Text and Legal Analysis
Florida Statute 90.616 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
Link to State of Florida Official Statute
F.S. 90.616 Case Law from Google Scholar Google Search for Amendments to 90.616

The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title VII
EVIDENCE
Chapter 90
EVIDENCE CODE
View Entire Chapter
90.616 Exclusion of witnesses.
(1) At the request of a party the court shall order, or upon its own motion the court may order, witnesses excluded from a proceeding so that they cannot hear the testimony of other witnesses except as provided in subsection (2).
(2) A witness may not be excluded if the witness is:
(a) A party who is a natural person.
(b) In a civil case, an officer or employee of a party that is not a natural person. The party’s attorney shall designate the officer or employee who shall be the party’s representative.
(c) A person whose presence is shown by the party’s attorney to be essential to the presentation of the party’s cause.
(d) In a criminal case, the victim of the crime, the victim’s next of kin, the parent or guardian of a minor child victim, or a lawful representative of such person, unless, upon motion, the court determines such person’s presence to be prejudicial.
History.s. 2, ch. 90-174; s. 1, ch. 92-107; s. 493, ch. 95-147.

F.S. 90.616 on Google Scholar

F.S. 90.616 on CourtListener

Amendments to 90.616


Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 90.616

Total Results: 32

Chamberlain v. State

881 So. 2d 1087, 2004 WL 1348732

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jun 17, 2004 | Docket: 1465878

Cited 87 times | Published

...Chamberlain argues that this ruling was reversible error. We disagree. *1100 The rule of sequestration provides: At the request of a party the court shall order, or upon its own motion the court may order, witnesses excluded from a proceeding so that they cannot hear the testimony of other witnesses.... § 90.616(1), Fla....

Knight v. State

746 So. 2d 423, 1999 WL 184502

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Nov 12, 1998 | Docket: 401041

Cited 51 times | Published

...The purpose of the rule of sequestration is "to avoid a witness coloring his or her testimony by hearing the testimony of another," thereby discouraging "fabrication, inaccuracy and collusion." Charles W. Ehrhardt, Florida Evidence § 616.1, at 506 (1998 ed.). Section 90.616(2)(c), Florida Statutes (1997), allows an exception to the rule of sequestration for "[a] person whose presence is shown by the party's attorney to be essential to the presentation of the party's cause." This exception is applied most...

Rose v. State

787 So. 2d 786, 2001 WL 326690

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Apr 5, 2001 | Docket: 1745064

Cited 43 times | Published

...As admitted by Rose, this testimony was permissible as provided for by the statute and precedents of this Court. See Mansfield, 758 So.2d at 649; Bonifay, 680 So.2d at 419-20. We conclude no reversible error has been demonstrated. Addressing the second part of this claim, Rose recognizes that section 90.616, Florida Statutes (1997), provides: (2) A witness may not be excluded if the witness is: ....

Hernandez v. State

4 So. 3d 642, 34 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 149, 2009 Fla. LEXIS 149, 2009 WL 217972

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 30, 2009 | Docket: 1217023

Cited 36 times | Published

...igation," the trial court did not abuse its discretion in exempting the expert witnesses from the rule. Id. [11] In 1990 (before we decided Burns but apparently after the case was tried), the Florida Legislature codified the rule of sequestration in section 90.616, Florida Statutes. See ch. 90-174, § 2, at 743, Laws of Fla. Section 90.616, Florida Statutes (2006), states in pertinent part: (1) At the request of a party the court shall order, or upon its own motion the court may order, witnesses excluded from a proceeding so that they cannot hear the testimony of other witnesses except as provided in subsection (2). § 90.616(1), Fla. Stat. (2006). While our decisions under the common law emphasized the discretionary nature of the decision to sequester witnesses, section 90.616 adopts the view that sequestration is demandable *663 as a matter of right. Charles W. Ehrhardt, Florida Evidence § 616.1, at 655 (2008 ed.). Nevertheless, the codified rule of sequestration also includes categories of witnesses who may not be excluded. See § 90.616(2), Fla. Stat. (2006). As one of those categories, section 90.616(2)(c) provides that a court may not exclude "[a] person whose presence is shown by the party's attorney to be essential to the presentation of the party's cause." § 90.616(2)(c), Fla. Stat. (2006). We have recognized that in applying the exception in section 90.616(2)(c) for those persons whose presence is shown to be essential to the presentation of the cause of one of the parties, "the trial court `has wide discretion in determining which witnesses are essential.'" Knight, 746 So.2d at 430 (quoting Charles W. Ehrhardt, Florida Evidence § 616.1, at 509 (1998 ed.)); see also Strausser v. State, 682 So.2d 539, 541 (Fla.1996) (citing § 90.616(2)(c) and finding no abuse of discretion in allowing the mental health expert to remain present in the courtroom while the defendant testified). Under section 90.616(2)(c), the burden is on the party seeking to avoid sequestration of a witness to demonstrate why the presence of the witness is essential....
...We reasoned that because a main issue in Strausser was the sanity of the defendant at the time of the crime, the trial court may have reasonably concluded that the expert's presence during the defendant's testimony was "essential to the presentation of the ... cause." Id. at 541 (quoting § 90.616(2)(c), Fla....
...s expert witness Dr. McClaren to remain in the courtroom during all of the testimony of the defense's penalty phase witnesses. I would specifically conclude that in this case the trial court's ruling was error. As the majority correctly recognizes, "section 90.616 adopts the view that sequestration is demandable as a matter of right." Majority op. at 662-63. Although sequestration is demandable as a matter of right, section 90.616(2)(c) provides that a court may not exclude a witness who is shown to be "essential." Further, the majority also correctly recognizes that "the burden is on the party seeking to avoid sequestration of a witness to demonstrate why the presence of the witness is essential." Majority op....
...der their presence essential. If such a reason were adequate to excuse a witness from the rule of sequestration, then all experts would be exempt from the rule. There is no authority for such a blanket exception to the rule of sequestration. Rather, section 90.616(2)(c) requires the party seeking an exception from the rule for its witness to "show" that the witness's presence is "essential to the presentation of the party's cause." As to the trial court's exercise of its discretion, the trial court failed to make any findings on whether Dr....
...avenue available" to the State to rebut the defense's evidence of mental mitigation through expert testimony. See Burns, 609 So.2d at 606. Moreover, the State did not and could not explain why Dr. McClaren's presence was essential as required under section 90.616(2)(c)....
...To avoid any error in the future, the trial court should follow several steps in considering whether to exempt an expert witness from the rule of sequestration to ensure that discretion is being exercised in a manner consistent with both the rule and section 90.616(2)(c)....
...Finally, once the trial court makes such a finding, it should then determine the portion of the testimony during which the presence of the witness is essential. Adherence to these guidelines, and a rejection of a blanket exception to the rule of sequestration, best serves to uphold the trial court's discretion, the rule, and section 90.616(2)(c)....

Davis v. State

875 So. 2d 359, 2003 WL 22722316

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Nov 20, 2003 | Docket: 111

Cited 22 times | Published

...without merit. Davis next argues that appellate counsel was ineffective for not raising on direct appeal that the trial court allowed, over objection, the mother of the victim to remain in the courtroom after testifying. This claim is without merit. Section 90.616, Florida Statutes (1995), provides an exception to the rule of sequestration for a minor child victim's parent, and Davis has been unable to establish how the trial judge abused his discretion in allowing the victim's mother to remain in the courtroom....

Strausser v. State

682 So. 2d 539, 1996 WL 683268

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Oct 17, 1996 | Docket: 1680912

Cited 7 times | Published

...at 606 (citation omitted) A main issue in the present case was Strausser's sanity at the time of the crime and the trial court may reasonably have concluded that Walczak's presence during Strausser's testimony was "essential to the presentation of the ... cause." § 90.616(2)(c), Fla.Stat....

Knight v. State

721 So. 2d 287

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Nov 12, 1998 | Docket: 218583

Cited 7 times | Published

...The purpose of the rule of sequestration is "to avoid a witness coloring his or her testimony by hearing the testimony of another," thereby discouraging "fabrication, inaccuracy and collusion." Charles W. Ehrhardt, Florida Evidence § 616.1, at 506 (1998 ed.). Section 90.616(2)(c), Florida Statutes (1997), allows an exception to the rule of sequestration for "[a] person whose presence is shown by the party's attorney to be essential to the presentation of the party's cause." This exception is applied most...
...surveillance, while the helicopter pilot only became involved at the end. Moreover, Smith's recitation of Detective Ojeda's trial testimony recounted the same subject matter in great detail. [9] Although Knight is correct that the 1990 enactment of section 90.616, a statutory rule of sequestration, superseded the common law standard of "sound judicial discretion" in determining whether a witness should be excepted from the rule, Randolph, 463 So.2d at 191, the trial court still has the discreti...

In Re Florida Rules of Civil Procedure for Involuntary Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators

13 So. 3d 1025, 34 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 405, 2009 Fla. LEXIS 1020, 2009 WL 1956384

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jul 9, 2009 | Docket: 1188234

Cited 6 times | Published

...the subpoena issued. (g) Subpoena of Minor. Any minor subpoenaed for testimony shall have the right to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during the taking of testimony notwithstanding the invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except upon a showing that the presence of a parent or guardian is likely to have a material, negative impact on the credibility or accuracy of the minor's testimony, or that the interests of the parent or guardian are in actual or potential conflict with the interests of the minor....

In re Amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure

131 So. 3d 643, 38 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 836, 2013 WL 6164572, 2013 Fla. LEXIS 2476

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Nov 14, 2013 | Docket: 60238155

Cited 5 times | Published

invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except upon a showing tiiatthe

Benjamin v. Tandem Healthcare, Inc.

93 So. 3d 1076, 2012 WL 2400880, 2012 Fla. App. LEXIS 10488

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 27, 2012 | Docket: 60310426

Cited 5 times | Published

to whom the sequestration rule did not apply. § 90.616(2)(a), Fla. Stat. (2009). Furthermore, Tandem

First Union v. Goodwin Beach Partnership

644 So. 2d 1361, 1994 Fla. App. LEXIS 8865, 1994 WL 501294

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 16, 1994 | Docket: 1248925

Cited 3 times | Published

...s rebuttal witness after appellees concluded their case. First Union cited section 90.704 of the Florida Evidence Code, which permits an expert witness to base an opinion on facts or data made known to him or her at the trial. First Union also cited section 90.616(2)(c) of the Florida Evidence Code that a person whose presence is shown by the party's attorney to be essential to the presentation of the party's cause, should not be excluded from the courtroom by the witness-sequestration rule....
...proceedings and not to matters which should have been litigated and determined in the foreclosure action. [9] $5,000,000.00 less $124,953.00 equals $4,875.047.00, which is $111,440.00 less than the total mortgage indebtedness of $4,986,487.00. [10] § 90.616, Fla....

In Re Amendments to Rules of Civ. Procedure

966 So. 2d 943, 32 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 606, 2007 Fla. LEXIS 1788, 2007 WL 2790745

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Sep 27, 2007 | Docket: 1679427

Cited 2 times | Published

...A party may also arrange for a stenographic transcription at that party's own initial expense. (8) Any minor subpoenaed for testimony shall have the right to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during the taking of testimony notwithstanding the invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except upon a showing that the presence of a parent or guardian is likely to have a material, negative impact on the credibility or accuracy of the minor's testimony, or that the interests of the parent or guardian are in actual or potential conflict with the interests of the minor....
...SUBPOENA (a)-(g) [No change] (h) Subpoena of Minor. Any minor subpoenaed for testimony shall have the right to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during the taking of testimony notwithstanding the invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except upon a showing that the presence of a parent or guardian is likely to have a material, negative impact on the credibility or accuracy of the minor's testimony, or that the interests of the parent or guardian are in actual or potential conflict with the interests of the minor....
............................... Address Florida Bar No. ............ Any minor subpoenaed for testimony shall have the right to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during the taking of testimony notwithstanding the invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except upon a showing that the presence of a parent or guardian is likely to have a material, negative impact on the credibility or accuracy of the minor's testimony, or that the interests of the parent or guardian are in actual or potential conflict with the interests of the minor....
................................. Address Florida Bar No. .............. Any minor subpoenaed for testimony shall have the right to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during the taking of testimony notwithstanding the invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except upon a showing that the presence of a parent or guardian is likely to have a material, negative impact on the credibility or accuracy of the minor's testimony, or that the interests of the parent or guardian are in actual or potential conflict with the interests of the minor....
.................................. Address Florida Bar No. ............... Any minor subpoenaed for testimony shall have the right to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during the taking of testimony notwithstanding the invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except upon a showing that the presence of a parent or guardian is likely to have a material, negative impact on the credibility or accuracy of the minor's testimony, or *958 that the interests of the parent or guardian are in actual or potential conflict with the interests of the minor....
................................. Address Florida Bar No. ............... Any minor subpoenaed for testimony shall have the right to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during the taking of testimony notwithstanding the invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except upon a showing that the presence of a parent or guardian is likely to have a material, negative impact on the credibility or accuracy of the minor's testimony, or that the interests of the parent or guardian are in actual or potential conflict with the interests of the minor....
................................. Address Florida Bar No. .............. Any minor subpoenaed for testimony shall have the right to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during the taking of testimony notwithstanding the invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except upon a showing that the presence of a parent or guardian is likely to have a material, negative impact on the credibility or accuracy of the minor's testimony, or that the interests of the parent or guardian are in actual or potential conflict with the interests of the minor....
............................... Address Florida Bar No. ............. Any minor subpoenaed for testimony shall have the right to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during the taking of testimony notwithstanding the invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except upon a showing that the presence of a parent or guardian is likely to have a material, negative impact on the credibility or accuracy of the minor's testimony, or that the interests of the parent or guardian are in actual or potential conflict with the interests of the minor....
.................................... Address Florida Bar No. ................. Any minor subpoenaed for testimony shall have the right to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during the taking of testimony notwithstanding the invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except upon a showing that the presence of a parent or guardian is likely to have a material, negative impact on the credibility or accuracy of the minor's testimony, or that the interests of the parent or guardian are in actual or potential conflict with the interests of the minor....
.............................. Address Florida Bar No. ............ Any minor subpoenaed for testimony shall have the right to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during *961 the taking of testimony notwithstanding the invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except upon a showing that the presence of a parent or guardian is likely to have a material, negative impact on the credibility or accuracy of the minor's testimony, or that the interests of the parent or guardian are in actual or potential conflict with the interests of the minor....

Hilton v. State

117 So. 3d 742, 38 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 174, 2013 Fla. LEXIS 486, 2013 WL 1149715

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Mar 21, 2013 | Docket: 60232773

Cited 2 times | Published

Spencer v. State, 133 So.2d 729 (Fla.1961)). Section 90.616(2)(c), Florida Statutes (1997), allows an exception

L.E.D. v. State

48 So. 3d 167, 2010 Fla. App. LEXIS 18017, 35 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. D 2591

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 24, 2010 | Docket: 60296526

Cited 1 times | Published

presentation of the state’s case. We agree. Section 90.616, Florida Statutes (2009), provides: (1) At

Gregory David Larkin v. State of Florida

147 So. 3d 452, 2014 Fla. LEXIS 1671, 2014 WL 2118192

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: May 22, 2014 | Docket: 57475

Cited 1 times | Published

...our. In addition, two alternate jurors were chosen. B. The Guilt Phase The trial commenced on January 9, 2012. Larkin invoked the rule to exclude witnesses from the courtroom, and the jury was sworn in. See § 90.616, Fla....

Jefferson Eugene Davis v. Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 25, 2019 | Docket: 16243483

Published

Sequestration The trial judge applied section 90.616, Florida Statutes (“Rule of Sequestration”)

TERRELL EUGENE TUMBLIN v. STATE OF FLORIDA

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 2, 2020 | Docket: 18200662

Published

codified at section 90.616, Florida Statutes (2018), and titled “Exclusion of Witnesses.” Section 90.616(1) provides:

In Re: Amendments to Florida Rules of Civil Procedure for Involuntary Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Sep 14, 2023 | Docket: 67748975

Published

invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except upon a showing that

In Re AMENDMENTS TO the FLORIDA RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE

199 So. 3d 867, 41 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 357, 2016 Fla. LEXIS 1962, 2016 WL 4586101

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Sep 1, 2016 | Docket: 4418544

Published

invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except upon a showing that

Cain v. State

758 So. 2d 1257, 2000 Fla. App. LEXIS 6553, 2000 WL 690136

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 31, 2000 | Docket: 64797602

Published

the accused. See Art. I, § 16(b), Fla. Const.; § 90.616(2)(d), Fla. Stat. (1999). While next-of-kin have

Black v. Sears

621 So. 2d 712, 1993 Fla. App. LEXIS 5253, 1993 WL 152471

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 12, 1993 | Docket: 64697758

Published

an officer nor an employee of appellee, and section 90.616(2)(b), Florida Statutes (1991), clearly provides

Heady v. State

215 So. 3d 164, 2017 WL 1201899, 2017 Fla. App. LEXIS 4479

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 31, 2017 | Docket: 60264614

Published

determined that her presence was prejudicial. § 90.616(2)(d), Fla. Stat.

J.R. v. State

923 So. 2d 1269, 2006 Fla. App. LEXIS 4359, 2006 WL 778619

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 29, 2006 | Docket: 64843081

Published

defense witness. Commonly called “the rule,” section 90.616, Florida Statutes (2004), provides: (1) At

In Re: Amendments to Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure

214 So. 3d 400, 42 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 319, 2017 WL 1031456, 2017 Fla. LEXIS 598

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Mar 16, 2017 | Docket: 4618309

Published

invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except on a showing that

R.D.H. v. State

57 So. 3d 254, 2011 Fla. App. LEXIS 3496, 2011 WL 890951

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 16, 2011 | Docket: 60298981

Published

pretrial motion, we find any error to be harmless. Section 90.616, Florida Statutes (2009), provides: (1) At

Fernandez v. GUARDIANSHIP OF FERNANDEZ

36 So. 3d 175, 2010 Fla. App. LEXIS 7604, 2010 WL 2178831

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 2, 2010 | Docket: 1638932

Published

...When the guardian ad litem gave her report, cross-examination by the parties should have been allowed. At the start of the hearing, the daughter invoked the rule of exclusion of witnesses. The trial court denied that request. The request should have been granted. The Evidence Code provides: 90.616 Exclusion of witnesses....
...(d) In a criminal case, the victim of the crime, the victim's next of kin, the parent or guardian of a minor child victim, or a lawful representative of such person, unless, upon motion, the court determines such person's presence to be prejudicial. § 90.616, Fla. Stat. (2008) (emphasis added). The parties, of course, were not subject to exclusion. Id. § 90.616(2)(a)....

Dismex Food, Inc. v. Harris

194 So. 3d 497, 2016 WL 3078099, 2016 Fla. App. LEXIS 8286

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 1, 2016 | Docket: 3068917

Published

invoked the sequestration rule set forth in section 90.616 of the Florida Statutes. The trial court told

Florida Industrial Power Users Group v. Art Graham, etc.

209 So. 3d 1142, 42 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 42, 2017 WL 372086, 2017 Fla. LEXIS 189

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 26, 2017 | Docket: 4574078

Published

of sequestration of witnesses, pursuant to section 90.616, Florida Statutes (2015), but the Commission

Daughtry v. State

211 So. 3d 84, 2017 WL 361128, 2017 Fla. App. LEXIS 790

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 25, 2017 | Docket: 60262702

Published

from hearing the testimony of other witnesses. § 90.616(1), Fla. Stat. (2014). Witness sequestration is

Joel Lebron v. State of Florida

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Dec 21, 2017 | Docket: 6245759

Published

Fla. Const. This right has been codified in section 90.616(2)(d), Florida Statutes (2017), which provides

In Re: Amendments to Florida Rules of Civil Procedure for Involuntary Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Aug 31, 2023 | Docket: 67748975

Published

invocation of the rule of sequestration of section 90.616, Florida Statutes, except upon a showing that

Goodman v. West Coast Brace & Limb, Inc.

580 So. 2d 193, 1991 Fla. App. LEXIS 3617, 1991 WL 58884

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 17, 1991 | Docket: 64658974

Published

federal rule by enacting section 90.616, Florida Statutes (Supp.1990). Section 90.616 provides that upon the

This Florida statute resource is curated by Graham W. Syfert, Esq., a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.