Also known as: factual finding · findings of fact
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A determination by a court or authorized decision-maker resolving disputed facts based on evidence presented in a proceeding. Such determinations receive deference on review and may appear in public records or investigative reports.
Forrest Falconer sued Fidelity Trust after a bench trial on a contract dispute. The district court found that Falconer had not relied on the bank's representations. On appeal, the reviewing court declined to disturb that determination because the trial judge had observed the witnesses and the record contained no clear error.
Floyd Franklin sued Flagship Logistics after a workplace injury. Franklin offered a federal safety agency's report that concluded the loading dock violated regulations. The court admitted the report's factual findings because they resulted from a legally authorized investigation in a civil case.
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Francesca Fowler sued Fulton Shipping after a vessel collision. She offered a Coast Guard investigative report that included both observations and the examiner's conclusion about fault. The court admitted the entire report, including its factual findings and opinions, under the public records exception.
Felicia Fuentes lost a nonjury trial on a commercial lease dispute. After judgment she moved for a new trial and asked the court to take additional testimony and revise its findings on the amount of rent due. The court granted the motion and entered amended findings supported by the new evidence.
Flora Ford was convicted of a weapons offense. The prosecution sought an enhanced sentence based on the allegation that the offense was committed with racial animus. The jury made the required factual finding beyond a reasonable doubt before the court imposed the higher penalty.
Fumiko Fujimoto and other plaintiffs challenged a proposed asbestos class settlement. The district court made detailed factual findings about the fairness of the compensation scheme and the superiority of the class mechanism. The reviewing court gave those findings substantial deference on appeal.
An appellate court may set aside factual findings only if they are clearly erroneous. The reviewing court must give due regard to the trial court's opportunity to judge witness credibility.
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Factual findings from a legally authorized investigation are admissible in civil cases under the public records exception unless the opponent shows the report lacks trustworthiness.
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A court may amend its findings or make additional findings on a timely motion filed no later than 28 days after judgment, and it may amend the judgment accordingly.
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Courts have interpreted factual findings to encompass evaluative conclusions and opinions when they result from an official investigation, provided the report meets the trustworthiness requirement.
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…does the congressional statute deal with subjects of traditional state regulation, and does the statute contain explicit factual findings supporting the otherwise implicit determination that the regulated activity substantially affects interstate commerce? Once again, any appeal these considerations may have depends on…