Section 9.11 Relevancy and Materiality

• Library: Civil Trial Practice 2015 Supp

1. (§9.11) Relevancy and Materiality

As a general rule, all relevant evidence is admissible unless it is inadmissible on other grounds. This broad assertion, although true, begs the question because it fails to define what is meant by relevancy. Relevancy is the relationship between the offered evidence and the issues presented by the case. Therefore, evidence is relevant if it tends to prove or disprove a fact at issue. Because the determination of relevancy is subjective, a trial court’s determination of relevancy will not be disturbed unless it constitutes an abuse of discretion. Lawson v. Schumacher & Blum Chevrolet, Inc., 687 S.W.2d 947, 951 (Mo. App. S.D. 1985). The amount of proof required to meet the relevancy threshold is attained when the truth of offered facts makes...