# Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 4-1: Sec. 4-1. Definition of Relevant Evidence

> Connecticut · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R4_1

## Section

- **Citation:** Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 4-1
- **Heading:** Sec. 4-1. Definition of Relevant Evidence
- **Jurisdiction:** Connecticut
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Connecticut Court Rules / Connecticut Code of Evidence / Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 4-1

## Text

Definition of Relevant Evidence
‘‘Relevant evidence’’ means evidence having
any tendency to make the existence of any fact
that is material to the determination of the pro-
ceeding more probable or less probable than it
would be without the evidence.
COMMENTARY
Section 4-1 embodies the two separate components of relevant evidence recognized at common law: (1) probative value;
and (2) materiality. State v. Jeffrey, 220 Conn. 698, 709, 601
A.2d 993 (1991); State v. Dabkowski, 199 Conn. 193, 206,
506 A.2d 118 (1986).
Section 4-1 incorporates the requirement of probative value
by providing that the proffered evidence must tend ‘‘to make
the existence of any fact . . . more probable or less probable
than it would be without the evidence.’’ See, e.g., State v.
Prioleau, 235 Conn. 274, 305, 664 A.2d 793 (1995); State v.
Briggs, 179 Conn. 328, 332, 426 A.2d 298 (1979), cert. denied,
447 U.S. 912, 100 S. Ct. 3000, 64 L. Ed. 2d 862 (1980).
Section 4-1’s ‘‘more probable or less probable than it would be
without the evidence’’ standard of probative worth is consistent
with Connecticut law. See, e.g., State v. Rinaldi, 220 Conn.
345, 353, 599 A.2d 1 (1991) (‘‘[t]o be relevant, the evidence
need not exclude all other possibilities; it is sufficient if it tends
to support the conclusion, even to a slight degree’’ (emphasis
added)); State v. Miller, 202 Conn. 463, 482, 522 A.2d 249
(1987) (‘‘[e]vidence is not inadmissible because it is not conclu-
sive; it is admissible if it has a tendency to support a fact
relevant to the issues if only in a slight degree’’ (emphasis
added)). Thus, it is not necessary that the evidence, by itself,
conclusively establish the fact for which it is offered or render
the fact more probable than not.
Section 4-1 expressly requires materiality as a condition to
relevancy in providing that the factual proposition for which
the evidence is offered must be ‘‘material to the determination
of the proceeding . . . .’’ See State v. Marra, 222 Conn
s, it is not necessary that the evidence, by itself,
conclusively establish the fact for which it is offered or render
the fact more probable than not.
Section 4-1 expressly requires materiality as a condition to
relevancy in providing that the factual proposition for which
the evidence is offered must be ‘‘material to the determination
of the proceeding . . . .’’ See State v. Marra, 222 Conn. 506,
521, 610 A.2d 1113 (1992); State v. Corchado, 188 Conn.
653, 668, 453 A.2d 427 (1982). The materiality of evidence
turns upon what is at issue in the case, which generally will
be determined by the pleadings and the applicable substantive
law. See Williams Ford, Inc. v. Hartford Courant Co., 232
Conn. 559, 570, 657 A.2d 212 (1995).

## Nearby sections

- [Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 1-1 Sec. 1-1. Short Title; Application](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R1_1.md)
- [Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 1-2 Sec. 1-2. Purposes and Construction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R1_2.md)
- [Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 1-3 Sec. 1-3. Preliminary Questions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R1_3.md)
- [Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 1-4 Sec. 1-4. Limited Admissibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R1_4.md)
- [Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 1-5 Sec. 1-5. Remainder of Statements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R1_5.md)
- [Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 2-1 Sec. 2-1. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R2_1.md)
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- [Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 3-1 Sec. 3-1. General Rule](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R3_1.md)
- [Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 4-1 Sec. 4-1. Definition of Relevant Evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R4_1.md)
- [Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 4-2 Sec. 4-2. Relevant Evidence Generally Admis-](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R4_2.md)
- [Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 4-3 Sec. 4-3. Exclusion of Evidence on Grounds](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R4_3.md)
- [Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 4-4 Sec. 4-4. Character Evidence Not Admissible To Prove Conduct; Exceptions; Methods](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R4_4.md)
- [Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 4-5 Sec. 4-5. Evidence of Other Crimes, Wrongs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R4_5.md)
- [Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 4-6 Sec. 4-6. Habit; Routine Practice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R4_6.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R4_1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.