Rule 5.402 General admissibility of relevant evidence

If evidence actually matters to a case, it can generally be used in court. This means facts, documents, testimony, or other evidence that helps prove or disprove something important to the case are normally allowed in.

But there are limits. Even if evidence is relevant, it can still be kept out if the constitution, a law, a court rule, or another evidence rule says it can't be used. So being relevant doesn't automatically guarantee evidence will be allowed. It just means it clears the first hurdle.

On the other hand, if evidence has nothing to do with the case and doesn't help answer any real question in dispute, it simply can't be used. Courts want to focus on evidence that actually helps decide the case, not information that is beside the point.