Legal Definitions - evidentiary fact

An evidentiary fact is a fact that makes other facts more likely to be true. These facts are used in court to help determine whether an ultimate fact has been proven with enough certainty. An ultimate fact is a fact that is directly relevant to the case and is supported by evidentiary facts.

Example 1: In a murder trial, the prosecution presents evidence that the defendant's fingerprints were found on the murder weapon. This is an evidentiary fact that makes it more likely that the defendant was the one who committed the murder. The ultimate fact in this case would be whether the defendant is guilty of murder.

Example 2: In a car accident case, a witness testifies that they saw the defendant run a red light. This is an evidentiary fact that makes it more likely that the defendant caused the accident. The ultimate fact in this case would be whether the defendant is liable for damages.

These examples illustrate how evidentiary facts are used to support ultimate facts in legal cases. By presenting evidence that makes certain statements more or less likely to be true, lawyers can build a case that supports their client's position.