Legal Definitions - physical fact

A physical fact is something that actually exists in reality. It can be a tangible thing, an actual occurrence, a relationship, or even a state of mind like an intention or opinion.

For example, a fingerprint left at a crime scene is a physical fact that can be used as evidence to prove that a person was present at the scene.

Another example is a fact that is necessary for a court to properly exercise its jurisdiction over a case, party, or thing. This is called a jurisdictional fact. For instance, if a person wants to file a lawsuit in a particular state, they must prove that they have a connection to that state, such as being a resident or having conducted business there.