What type of facts can courts take judicial notice of?

Courts can take judicial notice of facts that are not subject to reasonable dispute, which means these facts are generally known within the jurisdiction or can be accurately and readily determined from reliable sources. This principle allows courts to recognize certain facts without needing formal proof, streamlining the judicial process by avoiding the need for evidence on points that are considered universally accepted or incontrovertible.

When a fact is not subject to reasonable dispute, it typically means that it is either a matter of common knowledge (like the fact that the sun rises in the east) or can be verified through reliable sources (for instance, information available in government documents or reputable publications). This capability helps courts focus on the substantive issues of a case by eliminating the need to establish something that is already commonly acknowledged or easily confirmed.

In contrast, facts that are subject to reasonable dispute must typically be proven through evidence, as there may be conflicting evidence or differing opinions regarding their veracity. Courts do not take judicial notice of all facts submitted in a case, nor are they limited only to historical facts, as judicial notice can encompass a wide range of information deemed indisputable.