Evidence
Judicial Notice
Definition
Judicial notice under Federal Rule of Evidence 201 allows a court to accept a fact as established without requiring formal proof because the fact is either generally known within the trial court's jurisdiction or can be accurately and readily determined from reliable sources. In civil cases, judicially noticed facts are conclusive. In criminal cases, the jury is instructed that it may, but is not required to, accept the noticed fact. Judicial notice promotes efficiency by eliminating the need to prove indisputable facts.
Example
A court takes judicial notice that July 4, 2024 fell on a Thursday. This is the type of easily verifiable fact that does not require proof through witnesses or documents.