In the context of law, information is considered pertinent if it has any tendency to make a fact more or less probable than it would be without the evidence. The threshold for this determination is low; even evidence with minimal probative value can meet the standard. For instance, in a negligence case, evidence that the defendant had been speeding shortly before an accident would be considered pertinent, as it bears on the likelihood of negligence.
The pertinence standard is a cornerstone of the adversarial legal system. It ensures that juries and judges have access to information that can assist in resolving factual disputes. Historically, restricting the scope of admissible evidence to pertinent information prevents trials from becoming unduly protracted and focused on matters that do not meaningfully contribute to the resolution of the case. The acceptance of this standard promotes a fair and efficient legal process.
