Irrelevant Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Irrelevant, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Irrelevant?

Not important or related to the subject matter. It is used by attornies often during the trial to object the arguments raised by the opponent.

History and Meaning of Irrelevant

The term "irrelevant" has its origins in the Latin word "irrelevans", which means "not raising the scale". In law, it refers to evidence or arguments that are not significant or related to the case at hand. This concept of relevance has been an essential principle in the legal system for centuries. In a trial, the judge is responsible for determining whether evidence is relevant or irrelevant and should be admitted or excluded from the case.

Examples of Irrelevant

  1. In a personal injury case, a lawyer objects to the defendant's argument that the plaintiff has a history of traffic violations, arguing that it is irrelevant to the current case.

  2. During a custody battle, one parent brings up the other parent's financial problems, but the judge deems it irrelevant to the children's best interests.

  3. In a murder trial, the defense attorney tries to introduce evidence of the victim's drug use, but the judge rules it irrelevant to the case.

Legal Terms Similar to Irrelevant

  1. Admissible: Evidence or testimony that is allowed to be presented in court.

  2. Material: Evidence or information that is relevant to the outcome of a case.

  3. Objection: A formal protest raised by a lawyer against evidence presented by the opposing party.