Judicial notice is a court’s acceptance of a well-known and indisputable fact without requiring the party relying on the fact to prove it. The doctrine of judicial notice is one of common sense, and is based on the theory that where a fact is well-known in the community—or its existence is easily determined from sources that cannot be reasonably questioned—it would not be a good use of judicial time and resources to require formal proof of the fact in court. A court may take judicial notice of both facts and laws.

In Missouri, the concept of judicial notice aligns with the general principles found in other jurisdictions. Missouri courts may take judicial notice of facts that are commonly known within the territorial jurisdiction of the court or can be verified from unquestionable sources. This includes both matters of general knowledge and specific facts, such as the content of statutes, municipal ordinances, and administrative regulations. Missouri courts may also recognize facts that are capable of accurate and ready determination by resorting to sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably be questioned. The relevant statutes governing judicial notice in Missouri can be found in the Missouri Revised Statutes, specifically under Chapter 490, which deals with evidence and witnesses. Additionally, the Missouri Rules of Civil Procedure provide guidance on how judicial notice may be requested and used in civil cases. It is important for parties to understand that while courts can take judicial notice of certain facts and laws, the specific circumstances of each case may affect whether or not a court will exercise this discretion.