# Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 4-2: Sec. 4-2. Relevant Evidence Generally Admis-

> Connecticut · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R4_2

## Section

- **Citation:** Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 4-2
- **Heading:** Sec. 4-2. Relevant Evidence Generally Admis-
- **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. 4-2

## Text

Relevant Evidence Generally Admis-
sible; Irrelevant Evidence Inadmissible
All relevant evidence is admissible, except as
otherwise provided by the constitution of the
United States, the constitution of the state of Con-
necticut, the Code, the General Statutes or the
common law. Evidence that is not relevant is inad­
missible.

COMMENTARY
Section 4-2 recognizes two fundamental common-law prin-
ciples: (1) all relevant evidence is admissible unless otherwise
excluded; e.g., Delmore v. Polinsky, 132 Conn. 28, 31, 42
A.2d 349 (1945); see Federated Dept. Stores, Inc. v. Board
of Tax Review, 162 Conn. 77, 82–83, 291 A.2d 715 (1971);
and (2) irrelevant evidence is inadmissible. Williams Ford, Inc.
v. Hartford Courant Co., 232 Conn. 559, 569, 657 A.2d 212
(1995); see State v. Mastropetre, 175 Conn. 512, 521, 400
A.2d 276 (1978).
Reference in Section 4-2 to the federal and state constitu­
tions includes judicially created remedies designed to preserve
constitutional rights, such as the exclusionary rule. See State v.
Marsala, 216 Conn. 150, 161, 579 A.2d 58 (1990) (construing
exclusionary rule under Connecticut constitution).

## 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)
- [Conn. Code Evid. Sec. 2-2 Sec. 2-2. Notice and Opportunity To Be Heard](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CT_EVID_R2_2.md)
- [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_2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.