Rule 201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts. — (a) Scope of Rule. This

rule governs only judicial notice of adjudicative facts.

(b) Kinds of Facts. A judicially noticed fact must be one not subject to

reasonable dispute in that it is either (1) generally known within the territorial

jurisdiction of the trial court or (2) capable of accurate and ready determination by

resort to sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably be questioned.

(c) When Discretionary. A court may take judicial notice, whether requested or

not.

(d) When Mandatory. A court shall take judicial notice if requested by a party

and supplied with the necessary information.

(e) Opportunity to Be Heard. A party is entitled upon timely request to an

opportunity to be heard as to the propriety of taking judicial notice and the tenor of

the matter noticed. In the absence of prior notification, the request may be made after

judicial notice has been taken.

(f) Time of Taking Notice. Judicial notice may be taken at any stage of the

proceeding.

(g) Instructing Jury. In a civil action or proceeding, the court shall instruct the

jury to accept as conclusive any fact judicially noticed. In a criminal case, the court

shall instruct the jury that it may, but is not required to, accept as conclusive any fact

judicially noticed.

ARTICLE III

PRESUMPTIONS IN CIVIL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS