Section 3.20 Matters of Governmental Concern

• Library: Sources of Proof (2014 Ed.)

B. (§3.20) Matters of Governmental Concern

The court will also take judicial notice of facts of governmental concern that, even though not matters of common knowledge, either are known to the judge or are contained in sources of information peculiarly accessible and easily obtainable. These are matters that are not subject to reasonable dispute. Schweich v. Nixon, 408 S.W.3d 769, 778 n.11 (Mo. banc 2013) (statutes and legislative proceedings); Gershman Inv. Corp. v. Danforth, 475 S.W.2d 36, 37–38 (Mo. banc 1971) (Federal Housing Administration interest rates).

Included in the facts of governmental concern required to be judicially noticed are the following:

• The Constitution and laws of the United States. Wentz v. Chicago, B. & Q. R. Co., 168 S.W. 1166, 1170 (Mo. 1914).

• Missouri statutes and original statute rolls in the office of the Secretary of State. Bowen v. Mo. Pac. Ry. Co., 24 S.W. 436, 437 (Mo. 1893).

• Federal and state census. Varble v. Whitecotton, 190 S.W.2d 244, 246 (Mo. banc 1945).

• Whether a state is common law or civil law. Nelson v. Hall, 684 S.W.2d 350, 360 (Mo. App. W.D. 1984).

• Public official acts, treaties, and proclamations. Speas v. Kansas City, 44 S.W.2d 108, 113 (Mo. 1931).

• Court terms, territorial jurisdiction of court. State ex rel. Ford v. Hogan, 27 S.W.2d 21, 23 (Mo. 1930).

• Political subdivisions in Missouri, charters, and boundary ordinances of municipal corporations in Missouri. Fleshner v. Kansas City, 156 S.W.2d 706, 707 (Mo. 1941).

Missouri courts must take judicial notice of the laws of other states when properly pleaded...