Also known as: logically relevant · logical relevancy · relevance
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
Evidence that tends to make the existence of a fact of consequence to the determination of the action more or less probable than it would be without the evidence.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Lars Lindstrom offers a shipping log to show that a delivery occurred on a disputed date. The log is relevant only if the court first finds that the log accurately records the actual shipment. The court admits the log on the condition that Lindstrom later introduce testimony confirming the log's accuracy.
Lucia Lopez offers an expert who concludes that a manufacturing defect caused her injury. The expert's data shows only a statistical association between similar products and injuries. The court excludes the opinion because the analytical gap between the data and the specific defect conclusion is too great.
Laura Lewis faces charges for falsifying records. The government offers evidence that Lewis previously altered invoices in a different job. The court admits the evidence after finding sufficient proof from which the jury could conclude that Lewis committed the prior act and that the act bears on intent rather than propensity.
Lena Lawson offers studies linking a medication to birth defects. The studies use reliable methods and directly address the mechanism of injury alleged in the case. The court admits the studies because they make the causation fact more probable.
Legacy Motors offers video footage of animal handling practices at a supplier facility. The footage tends to show that the practices were not cruel. The court admits the video because it makes the disputed fact about the supplier's conduct more probable.
Lily Lopez offers evidence of other insurance claims against State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. The claims share similar facts with her own dispute. The court admits the evidence because it makes the fact of a company practice more probable.
Logical relevance asks whether evidence tends to make a fact more or less probable. Materiality asks whether that fact is of consequence to the action. Both must be present for evidence to be admitted under Rule 401.
Supporting sources
When relevance depends on a preliminary fact, the proponent must introduce sufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to find that fact. The court may admit the evidence conditionally pending that proof.
No. Evidence need only have any rational tendency to affect the probability of a consequential fact. Weak or circumstantial links satisfy the standard.
Supporting sources
…guarantees of the Bill of Rights, the Court refers to the Ninth Amendment, ante , at 484. I add these words to emphasize the relevance of that Amendment to the Court's holding. The Court stated many years ago that the Due Process Clause protects those liberties that are "so rooted in the traditions and conscience of our…