Legal Definitions - findings of fact

Findings of fact are the determinations made by a judge, jury, or administrative body regarding what actually happened in a legal dispute. These conclusions are drawn directly from the evidence presented during a trial or hearing, such as witness testimony, documents, and physical exhibits. They establish the factual basis upon which legal rules are then applied to reach a final decision or judgment.

Here are a few examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Civil Personal Injury Case

  Imagine a lawsuit where a pedestrian is suing a driver for injuries sustained in a car accident. After hearing all the testimony and reviewing evidence like police reports and medical records, the judge (or jury) makes several findings of fact. These might include:

  • The traffic light was red for the driver and green for the pedestrian at the time of the collision.
  • The driver was exceeding the speed limit by 15 miles per hour.
  • The pedestrian suffered a broken leg and incurred $50,000 in medical expenses.

  These are the specific events and circumstances that the court believes occurred, based on the evidence presented. They are not legal conclusions (like "the driver was negligent"), but rather the foundational truths established before applying the law to determine liability and damages.

• Example 2: Criminal Theft Case

  Consider a criminal trial where an individual is accused of shoplifting. The jury, after listening to witnesses and viewing security footage, might make the following findings of fact:

  • The defendant entered the electronics store on October 26th at 3:15 PM.
  • The defendant placed a new video game console into a large backpack without scanning it or attempting to pay.
  • The defendant then exited the store through the main entrance without stopping at a register.

  These factual determinations describe the actions the jury believes the defendant took. These findings of fact would then be used to decide if the elements of the crime of theft, as defined by law, have been met.

• Example 3: Administrative Hearing for Professional License

  Suppose a state licensing board is reviewing a complaint against a certified public accountant (CPA) for alleged misconduct. After an administrative hearing, the board might issue findings of fact such as:

  • The CPA failed to file a client's tax return by the April 15th deadline for three consecutive years.
  • The CPA did not respond to the client's repeated attempts to contact them regarding the overdue filings.
  • The client incurred penalties and interest totaling $15,000 due to the late filings.

  These are the specific actions and omissions of the CPA, and their direct consequences, as determined by the board based on the evidence. These factual findings would then inform the board's decision on whether the CPA violated professional standards and what disciplinary action, if any, is appropriate.